noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
Received-Pronunciation:/ˈɹəʊləˌkəʊstə/
General-American:/ˈɹoʊlɚˌkoʊstɚ/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:R OW1 L ER0 K OW2 S T ER0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
An amusement ride consisting of a train on a track that rises, falls, twists and turns.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A situation characterized by significant fluctuations in direction, emotion or intensity.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: broadly, figuratively
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: rollercoaster ride
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
A univerbation of roller coaster, after the rolling and coasting motions to which the riders are subjected.
Across languages
Translations
67 source translations are retained for this English entry.