Definition of “roll” - English Dictionary

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“roll” in English

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rollverb

uk ​ /rəʊl/ us ​ /roʊl/

roll verb (MOVE)

B2 [ I or T, usually + adv/prep ] to (cause something to) move somewhere by turning over and over or from side to side:

The vase rolled off the edge of the table and smashed.
The dog rolled over onto its back.
I rolled the wheel along the side of the road back to the car.

B2 [ I or T, usually + adv/prep ] to move somewhere easily and without sudden movements:

A tear rolled down his cheek.
A wave of cigarette smoke rolled towards me.
The piano's on wheels, so we can roll it into the room.

› [ I ] If an aircraft or a ship rolls, it leans to one side and then to the other because of the wind or waves.

› [ I ] If a machine is rolling, it is operating:

Just as the television cameras started rolling, it began to pour down with rain.

C2 [ T ] If you roll your eyes, you move them so that you are looking up, to show that you consider someone or something stupid or silly:

When he suggested they should buy a new car, she rolled her eyes in disbelief.

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roll verb (TURN OVER)

B1 [ T usually + adv/prep ] to (cause something to) turn over onto itself to form the shape of a ball or a tube:

He rolled the clay into a ball in his hands.
As I got closer, the hedgehog rolled itself (up) into a ball.

› [ T ] to make a cigarette by wrapping a piece of paper around some tobacco

› [ I or T, + adv/prep ] to fold over a piece of clothing or material to make it shorter:

We rolled back the carpet to see the floorboards.

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roll verb (SOUND)

› [ I ] to make a continuous, repeated, deep sound:

The drums rolled as the acrobat walked along the tightrope.

› [ T ] If you roll your r's, you pronounce them with your tongue moving quickly and repeatedly against the top of the mouth:

When you speak Spanish you roll your r's.

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Idiom(s)

rolled into one
be rolling in it
be rolling in the aisles
roll on the weekend, five o'clock, etc.
roll up!
roll up your sleeves
roll with the punches

Phrasal verb(s)

roll around
roll back sth
roll sth back
roll by
roll in
roll (sth) out
roll (sth) over sth
roll sth up
roll up

rollnoun

uk ​ /rəʊl/ us ​ /roʊl/

roll noun (TUBE)

B2 [ C ] a piece of film, paper, or cloth that is rolled into the shape of a tube:

a roll of carpet
a toilet roll (= a roll of toilet paper)

› [ C ] If a person or animal has rolls of fat on their body, he, she, or it is very fat:

The dog had rolls of fat along its neck.

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roll noun (BREAD)

B1 [ C ] also bread roll a small loaf of bread for one person:

Would you like a roll and butter with your soup?
UK I bought a cheese/ham/tuna roll (= a sandwich made with a roll) for lunch.

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roll noun (LIST)

› [ C ] an official list of names:

Is your name on the electoral roll (= the list of people who can vote)?
take/call the roll mainly US

› If you take/call the roll, you read aloud the names of all the people on the list to make certain that they are present:

The teacher called the roll to see if any students were absent.

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roll noun (MOVEMENT)

› [ C ] an act of rolling on the ground:

The dog went for a roll in the grass.
a roll in the hay humorous

› sexual activity that is quick and enjoyable and does not involve serious feelings:

I wouldn't sacrifice my marriage for a roll in the hay with a waitress.

› [ U ] The roll of a ship or aircraft is its movement from side to side in the water or air.

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Idiom(s)

be on a roll

(Definition of “roll” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“roll” in American English

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rollverb

us ​ /roʊl/

roll verb (MOVE)

› [ I/T ] to move in a direction by turning over and over or by traveling on wheels, or to cause something to move in this way:

[ I ] The coin rolled off the table.
[ T ] I rolled the spare tire around to the side of the car.
[ I ] Tears rolled down his cheeks.
Bob rolled over (= turned his body while lying down) onto his stomach.

› [ I/T ] If you roll a car window up or down, you turn a handle or press a button that opens or closes the window.

roll verb (FORM ROUNDED SHAPE)

› [ T ] to form something soft into a rounded shape:

He rolled the clay into a ball.
[ M ] She rolled up her pants so they wouldn’t get wet.

roll verb (SOUND)

› [ I/T ] to make a continuous repeated sound:

[ I ] Thunder rolled in the distance.

Idiom(s)

(all) rolled into one
rolling in the aisles
roll out the red carpet (for someone)
roll up your sleeves
roll your eyes

Phrasal verb(s)

roll around
roll back something
roll in
roll out something
roll out something

rollnoun

us ​ /roʊl/

roll noun (LIST)

› [ C ] an official list of names:

a roll of eligible voters

roll noun (BREAD)

› [ C ] a small loaf of bread

roll noun (MOVEMENT)

› [ C/U ] the movement of something in a direction by turning over and over or by traveling on wheels:

[ C ] You have to allow for the roll of the ball when it lands after you hit it.

roll noun (SOUND)

› [ C usually sing ] a continuous repeated sound:

a drum roll

roll noun (ROUNDED SHAPE)

› [ C ] a long piece of something that bends, formed into a cylinder:

a roll of film/ tape/aluminum foil

› [ C ] A roll is also a rounded mass of something:

rolls of fat

Idiom(s)

on a roll

(Definition of “roll” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“roll” in Business English

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rollverb

uk ​ /rəʊl/ us ​
roll off the assembly/production line

› to be produced in a factory:

The new vehicles roll off the assembly line in August.
The company's first locally made vehicle will roll off the production line within a year.

Phrasal verb(s)

roll sth back
roll in
roll out
roll sth over
roll sth up

(Definition of “roll” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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