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

That's especially true at a time like this, when the economy feels like a roller-coaster ride. —Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 16 Nov. 2025

Daboll’s situation mirrors the one Jones found himself in last year, when the Giants released him during a roller-coaster season that ultimately led to trading back into the first round and selecting Dart out of Ole Miss during the 2025 NFL Draft. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 13 Nov. 2025

Noun

His first season as a full-time starter has been a roller coaster. —Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 15 Nov. 2025

The stock-tracking graph for the year would come to resemble a fun roller coaster ride. —Jeremy Lott, The Washington Examiner, 14 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1891, 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