(rolls, rolling, rolled)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
When something rolls or when you roll it, it moves along a surface, turning over many times.
The ball rolled into the net...
I rolled a ball across the carpet...
VERB: V prep/adv, V n prep
2.
If you roll somewhere, you move on a surface while lying down, turning your body over and over, so that you are sometimes on your back, sometimes on your side, and sometimes on your front.
When I was a little kid I rolled down a hill and broke my leg...
VERB: V prep/adv
3.
When vehicles roll along, they move along slowly.
The lorry quietly rolled forward.
VERB: V prep/adv
4.
If a machine rolls, it is operating.
He slipped and fell on an airplane gangway as the cameras rolled...
VERB: V
5.
If drops of liquid roll down a surface, they move quickly down it.
She looked at Ginny and tears rolled down her cheeks.
VERB: V down n
6.
If you roll something flexible into a cylinder or a ball, you form it into a cylinder or a ball by wrapping it several times around itself or by shaping it between your hands.
He took off his sweater, rolled it into a pillow and lay down on the grass...
He rolled and lit another cigarette.
VERB: V n into n, V n
•
Roll up means the same as
roll.
Stein rolled up the paper bag with the money inside.
PHRASAL VERB: V P n (not pron)
7.
A roll of paper, plastic, cloth, or wire is a long piece of it that has been wrapped many times around itself or around a tube.
The photographers had already shot a dozen rolls of film.
N-COUNT: usu N of n
8.
If you roll up something such as a car window or a blind, you cause it to move upwards by turning a handle. If you roll it down, you cause it to move downwards by turning a handle.
In mid-afternoon, shopkeepers began to roll down their shutters...
VERB: V n with adv
9.
If you roll your eyes or if your eyes roll, they move round and upwards. People sometimes roll their eyes when they are frightened, bored, or annoyed. (WRITTEN)
People may roll their eyes and talk about overprotective, interfering grandmothers...
His eyes rolled and he sobbed.
VERB: V n, V
10.
A roll is a small piece of bread that is round or long and is made to be eaten by one person. Rolls can be eaten plain, with butter, or with a filling.
He spread butter on a roll.
N-COUNT
11.
A roll of drums is a long, low, fairly loud sound made by drums.
As the town clock struck two, they heard the roll of drums.
N-COUNT
12.
A roll is an official list of people's names.
...the electoral roll.
= register
N-COUNT: with supp
13.
14.
If someone is on a roll, they are having great success which seems likely to continue. (INFORMAL)
I made a name for myself and I was on a roll, I couldn't see anything going wrong.
PHRASE: usu v-link PHR
15.
If you say roll on something, you mean that you would like it to come soon, because you are looking forward to it. (BRIT INFORMAL)
Roll on the day someone develops an effective vaccine against malaria.
PHRASE: PHR n [feelings]
16.
If something is several things rolled into one, it combines the main features or qualities of those things.
This is our kitchen, sitting and dining room all rolled into one.
PHRASE: pl-n PHR, v-link PHR
17.
to
start the ball rolling: see
ball
heads will roll: see
head