📒 to turn over and over and move in a particular direction; to make a round object do this
- + adv./prep. The ball rolled down the hill.
- Tears rolled down her cheeks.
- We watched the waves rolling onto the beach.
📒 to turn over and over or round and round while remaining in the same place; to make something do this
- Her eyes rolled.
- + adv./prep. a dog rolling in the mud
- roll something She rolled her eyes (= to show surprise or disapproval).
📒 to turn over to face a different direction; to make somebody/something do this
- roll over She rolled over to let the sun brown her back.
- He quickly rolled over and got to his feet.
- roll over onto something I rolled over onto my stomach.
📒 to throw dice in a game
- Each player rolls their dice.
- (especially North American English) Players take turns rolling a die and moving around the board.
- Roll a six to start.
📒 to move smoothly on wheels or as if on wheels; to make something do this
- + adv./prep. The car began to roll back down the hill.
- The traffic rolled slowly forwards.
- Tanks rolled triumphantly into the city.
📒 to move or flow forward in a steady way
- Mist was rolling in from the sea.
- In the afternoon, dark clouds rolled in.
- The fog was rolling off the moors.
📒 to make something/yourself into the shape of a ball or tube
- roll something into something I rolled the string into a ball.
- Roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a baking tray.
- roll something up We rolled up the carpet.
📒 to make a cigarette yourself by putting tobacco on special paper and forming it into a tube
- He leaned on the table and rolled a cigarette.
- I always roll my own (= make my own cigarettes).
📒 to fold the edge of a piece of clothing, etc. over and over on itself to make it shorter
- roll something up Roll up your sleeves.
- roll something down Alice rolled down her sock to reveal a scar on her ankle.
- roll something + adv./prep. She rolled her jeans to her knees.
📒 to make something flat by pushing something heavy over it
- Roll the pastry on a floured surface.
📒 to wrap or cover somebody/something/yourself in something
- roll somebody/something/yourself in something Roll the meat in the breadcrumbs.
- roll somebody/something/yourself up in something He rolled himself up in the blanket.
📒 to move or make something move from side to side
- He walked with a rolling gait.
- The ship was rolling heavily to and fro.
📒 to make a long continuous sound
- rolling drums
- Thunder rolled.
- roll something to roll your r’s (= by letting your tongue vibrate with each ‘r’ sound)
📒 when a machine rolls or somebody rolls it, it operates
- They had to repeat the scene because the cameras weren't rolling.
- roll something Roll the cameras!
📒 to behave in a particular way
- She surprised her fans with a completely new look because that's how she rolls.
📒 to have a lot of money
📒 to make something start happening; to make sure that something continues to happen
📒 used to say that some people will be punished because of something that has happened
📒 used to suggest to a group of people that you should all start doing something or going somewhere
📒 ready to start
- The show is just about ready to roll.
📒 combined in one person or thing
- Banks are several businesses rolled into one.
📒 laughing a lot
- She soon had us rolling in the aisles.
📒 likely to be very shocked or angry
- My father would roll over his grave if he knew.
📒 a person who moves from place to place, job to job, etc. does not have a lot of money, possessions or friends but is free from responsibilities
📒 to be easy to say or pronounce
- It's not a name that exactly rolls off the tongue, is it?
📒 used to say that you want something to happen or arrive soon
📒 to prepare to work or fight
📒 to adapt yourself to a difficult situation