roar

1 of 2

verb

ˈrȯr 

roared; roaring; roars

intransitive verb

1

a

: to utter or emit a full loud prolonged sound

b

: to sing or shout with full force

2

a

: to make or emit a loud confused sound (such as background reverberation or rumbling)

b

: to laugh loudly

3

a

: to be boisterous or disorderly

b

: to proceed or rush with great noise or commotion

4

: to make a loud noise during inhalation (such as that of a horse affected with roaring)

transitive verb

1

: to utter or proclaim with a roar

2

: to cause to roar

roar

2 of 2

noun

1

: the deep cry of a wild animal (such as a lion)

2

: a loud deep cry (as of pain or anger)

3

: a loud continuous confused sound

the roar of the crowd

4

: a boisterous outcry

Synonyms

Verb

• bellow
• boom
• growl
• thunder

Noun

• clamor
• howl
• hubbub
• hue and cry
• hullabaloo
• noise
• outcry
• tumult
• uproar
• vociferation

Examples of roar in a Sentence

Verb

We heard a lion roar in the distance.

The joke got the crowd roaring.

The crowd roared its approval.

She roared at him for being late.

Noun

the roar of the airplane engines

the roar of the river

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

One of the most popular places to stay in the village is Teton Mountain Lodge and Spa, where a roaring fireplace in the lobby points to the hotel’s cozy and welcoming atmosphere. —Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 6 Jan. 2025

Use painters tape on the floor to show the size and scale of furnishings to help give you a feel of the pacing of the room and how easily guests will be able to carry on a conversation even above the crackle of a roaring fireplace. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Jan. 2025

Noun

In one strip, the kids act out the horrible roar of an atomic bomb, and Snoopy has frequent aerial battles with the Red Baron. —Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2025

Collecting data and recordings of leopard roars has proven difficult in the past, according to the study, making the study of their vocalizations and communication challenging. —Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 3 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English roren, from Old English rārian; akin to Old High German rērēn to bleat

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing roar

• roar (back) to life
• sputter/roar to life

Kids Definition

roar

1 of 2 verb

ˈrō(ə)r 

ˈrȯ(ə)r

1

: to utter a long full loud sound

the lion roared

2

: to laugh loudly

3

: to say with a roar

roarer

ˈrōr-ər

ˈrȯr-

noun

roar

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: the deep loud cry of a wild animal (as a lion)

b

: a loud deep cry or shout

2

: a loud confused sound

the roar of the crowd