roller-coaster

adjective roll·er-coast·er \ ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər , ˈrō-lə-ˌkō- \

|Updated on: 11 Aug 2018

Examples: roller-coaster in a Sentence

Definition of roller-coaster

: marked by numerous ups and downs

an entertainer's roller-coaster career

First Known Use of roller-coaster

1940

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

roller coaster

noun roll·er coast·er \ ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər , ˈrō-lē-ˌkō- \

Definition of roller coaster

1 : an elevated railway (as in an amusement park) constructed with sharp curves and steep inclines on which cars roll

2 : something resembling a roller coaster; especially : behavior, events, or experiences characterized by sudden and extreme changes

an emotional roller coaster

See roller coaster defined for English-language learners

See roller coaster defined for kids

Examples of roller coaster in a Sentence

We went for a ride on the roller coaster.
The divorce was an emotional roller coaster for both of them.

Recent Examples of roller coaster from the Web

For some of us, the weather is a roller coaster ride that determines each year’s financial outcome.

— The Aegis, "Roller coaster ride [Editorial]," 13 July 2018
Degrassi fans have been on an emotional roller coaster ever since the show started.

— noelle devoe, Seventeen, "Here's Everywhere You Can Watch "Degrassi: The Next Generation"," 14 June 2018
Glamour interviewed 1,147 men about the #MeToo movement and the survey results are an emotional roller coaster for womankind.

— aubrey nagle, Philly.com, "Latest on Sixers GM Twitter scandal, LOVE Park reopens | Morning Newsletter," 31 May 2018
The last couple days have been an emotional roller coaster for sure.

— nick schwartz, For The Win, "Danica Patrick was 'broken-hearted' after crashing in Indy 500," 31 May 2018
Today a Lithonia city worker came and destroyed a handmade roller coaster built at a public housing complex.

— raisa habersham, ajc, "GBI: DeKalb man had child pornography on phone, molested several children," 31 May 2018
And true to that theme, the show was an emotional roller coaster, switching from sometimes vulgar stand-up routines to heartfelt musical performances about despair.

— alejandra reyes-velarde, latimes.com, "The Unitarian Universalist Church in La Crescenta opens a monthly ‘hootenanny,’ the Verdugo HUUT," 23 May 2018
Going to the amusement park with friends led to friendly competitions while playing the games, as well as seeing who would be the first to try out roller coasters.

— carol motsinger, Cincinnati.com, "Less than a week until Kings Island opens. Let's reminisce. Let's vote on our favorite.," 9 Apr. 2018
Infertility is an emotional roller coaster that's lonely, expensive and stressful, Gibney said.

— julie washington, cleveland.com, "Experts recommend counseling & support for UH patients who lost eggs, embryos," 21 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'roller coaster.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of roller coaster

1883

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

ROLLER-COASTER Defined for English Language Learners

roller coaster

noun

Definition of roller coaster for English Language Learners

: a ride at an amusement park which is like a small, open train with tracks that are high off the ground and that have sharp curves and steep hills
: a situation or experience that involves sudden and extreme changes