26984 words

rolls

31 definitions • 41 examples
1
to (cause something to) move somewhere by turning over and over or from side to side:

Examples:

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.
2
to move somewhere easily and without sudden movements:

Examples:

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.
3
If an aircraft or a ship rolls, it leans to one side and then to the other because of the wind or waves.
4
If a machine is rolling, it is operating:

Examples:

cameras roll Just as the television cameras started rolling, it began to pour down with rain.
5
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:

Examples:

roll in When he suggested they should buy a new car, she rolled her eyes in disbelief.
6
to (cause something to) turn over onto itself to form the shape of a ball or a tube:

Examples:

roll something into something He rolled the clay into a ball in his hands.
roll something (up) into something As I got closer, the hedgehog rolled itself (up) into a ball.
7
to make a cigarette by wrapping a piece of paper around some tobacco
8
to fold over a piece of clothing or material to make it shorter:

Examples:

roll back We rolled back the carpet to see the floorboards.
9
to make something smooth and flat:

Examples:

[ + obj + adj ] She borrowed a garden roller to roll the grass flat.
roll (out) When you have rolled (out) the pastry, place it in a pie dish.
10
to make a continuous, repeated, deep sound:

Examples:

11
If you roll your r's, you pronounce them with your tongue moving quickly and repeatedly against the top of the mouth:

Examples:

When you speak Spanish you roll your r's.
12
a piece of film, paper, or cloth that is rolled into the shape of a tube:

Examples:

a roll of carpet
a toilet roll (= a roll of toilet paper)
13
If a person or animal has rolls of fat on their body, that person or animal is very fat:

Examples:

The dog had rolls of fat along its neck.
14
a small round loaf of bread for one person:

Examples:

Would you like a roll and butter with your soup?
cheese/ham/tuna roll UK I bought a cheese/ham/tuna roll (= a sandwich made with a roll) for lunch.
15

Examples:

electoral roll Is your name on the electoral roll (= the list of people who can vote)?
16
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:

Examples:

The teacher called the roll to see if any students were absent.
17
an act of rolling on the ground:

Examples:

The dog went for a roll in the grass.
He performed three full rolls when fouled by an opponent.
18
sexual activity that is quick and enjoyable and does not involve serious feelings:

Examples:

I wouldn't sacrifice my marriage for a roll in the hay with a waitress.
19
The roll of a ship or aircraft is its movement from side to side in the water or air.
20

Examples:

drum roll Can you ask the drummer to play a drum roll as the speaker enters the hall?
roll of thunder It began to rain and there was a distant roll of thunder.
21
to move in a direction by turning over and over or by traveling on wheels, or to cause something to move in this way:

Examples:

[ 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.
22
If you roll a car window up or down, you turn a handle or press a button that opens or closes the window.
23
to form something soft into a rounded shape:

Examples:

He rolled the clay into a ball.
[ M ] She rolled up her pants so they wouldn’t get wet.
24

Examples:

[ I ] Thunder rolled in the distance.
25

Examples:

26
27
the movement of something in a direction by turning over and over or by traveling on wheels:

Examples:

[ C ] You have to allow for the roll of the ball when it lands after you hit it.
28

Examples:

29
a long piece of something that bends, formed into a cylinder:

Examples:

30
A roll is also a rounded mass of something:

Examples:

rolls of fat
31
to be produced in a factory:

Examples:

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.

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