roller-coaster

1 of 2

adjective

roll·​er-coast·​er ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər 

ˈrō-lə-ˌkō-

: marked by numerous ups and downs

an entertainer's roller-coaster career

roller coaster

2 of 2

noun

roll·​er coast·​er ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər 

ˈrō-lē-ˌkō-

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

Examples of roller-coaster in a Sentence

Noun

We went for a ride on the roller coaster.

The divorce was an emotional roller coaster for both of them.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The loss capped a roller-coaster first half in which the Yankees (53-43) started strong, endured a summer swoon and fell to second place in the American League East. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 13 July 2025

Sunday’s defeat capped a roller-coaster first half in which the Yankees jumped out to a 42-25 record, only to follow with a 6-16 skid that included two separate six-game losing streaks. —Peter Sblendorio, Hartford Courant, 13 July 2025

Noun

The park is home to the world’s fastest roller coaster and the latest generation of ride from the company behind many of the most immersive attractions in Disney and Universal parks as this report explained. —Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025

Legoland Florida is going for an out-of-this-world atmosphere for an indoor roller coaster that’s currently under construction at the Winter Haven theme park. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1940, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1883, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for roller-coaster

• paternoster
• coaster
• poster
• roaster
• toaster

Kids Definition

roller coaster

noun

roll·​er coast·​er ˈrō-lər-ˌkō-stər 

ˈrō-lē-ˌkō-

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