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

Away from the field, the 32-year-old looks and sounds like a man at peace with a decade-long physical and emotional roller-coaster ride. —Alec Lewis, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025

The two were brought in to provide stability after a roller-coaster finish to last season. —Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025

Noun

Elsewhere in Orlando, a 32-year-old man, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, died while riding Universal Epic Universe's Stardust Racers roller coaster in September. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Oct. 2025

To call the Detroit Tigers' season an emotional roller coaster would probably be an understatement. —Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 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