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

Listen to this article The turmoil in the U.S. stock market has retirees and people thinking about retiring anxious about the roller-coaster ride the value of their retirement plans are taking. —Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2025

For analysts at Vanguard, the investment firm, the roller-coaster ride provided a timely opportunity to study how investors behave when the going gets tough. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2025

Noun

By pushing the deportation debate, Trump is keeping the focus away from the negative economic news that has dented his approval rating thanks to the shaky rollout of his tariff plans and the ensuing roller coaster results in the stock markets. —Zac Anderson, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025

There will also be a large lake, with multiple roller coasters and what looks like an amphitheater for shows. —Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 11 Apr. 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