roll
Roll (verb) means to move by turning over and over on a surface. Example: “The ball rolled off the table and under the couch.”
How to use roll
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo turn over and over while moving, to shape something into a cylinder, or (as a noun) a small bread bun, a rolled-up bundle, or a list of names.
Word forms
rolled past tense, roll plural, rolled plural, rolls plural, rolls plural, rolls singular, roll singular, rolled singular, rollest singular, rolledst singular, rolleth singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The ball _____ off the table and under the couch.
Etymology
From Middle English rollen, from Old French roller and Medieval Latin rotulare ("to roll"), ultimately from Latin rota, "a wheel".
Related words
Rhymes for roll
See all rhymes for roll →Frequently asked questions
What does “roll” mean?
The word “roll” means to move by turning over and over on a surface. In plain terms, to turn over and over while moving, to shape something into a cylinder, or (as a noun) a small bread bun, a rolled-up bundle, or a list of names.
How do you pronounce “roll”?
“Roll” is pronounced rohl (/ɹoʊl/ in IPA).
How do you use “roll” in a sentence?
Here is “roll” used in a sentence: “The ball rolled off the table and under the couch.”
What part of speech is “roll”?
Depending on how it is used, “roll” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “roll” come from?
The word “roll” comes from Medieval Latin. From Middle English rollen, from Old French roller and Medieval Latin rotulare ("to roll"), ultimately from Latin rota, "a wheel".
Is “roll” a common word?
“Roll” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “roll” have?
“Roll” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move by turning over and over on a surface.
What is the difference between 'roll' and 'role'?
They sound identical but mean different things. 'Roll' is usually a verb meaning to turn over and over, or a noun for something rolled up, like a bread roll. 'Role' is a noun meaning a part someone plays, as in a job or a character in a film. Only 'role' involves a part or function.
What are the different meanings of 'roll'?
'Roll' is versatile. It means to turn over on a surface (a ball rolls), to move on wheels (the car rolled forward), to wrap into a tube (roll the dough), and to make a deep continuous sound (thunder rolls). As a noun it can mean a list, a small loaf, or a cylinder.
What is an example of 'roll' used in a sentence?
You might say, 'The ball rolled down the hill and stopped at the fence,' where roll shows movement by turning over and over. Other examples include 'Roll the dice,' 'The waves rolled onto the shore,' and 'He rolled up his sleeves.' Each keeps the core idea of turning or continuous motion.
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