coaster

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a short name for a roller coaster, which is a fast ride at an amusement park.

n. a common clipping of 'roller coaster', referring to an elevated railway with steep inclines and sharp curves found in amusement parks.

“The new coaster at the theme park is the tallest and fastest in the country.”

“Adrenaline seekers queued for hours to experience the park's newest coaster, which featured a record-breaking vertical drop and multiple inversions.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Nautical Technical

n. a ship that carries goods between ports along the same coast.

n. a merchant vessel designed for trading along a coast rather than making transoceanic voyages.

“The small coaster delivered coal to several towns along the northern shore.”

“The harbour was crowded with small coasters and fishing boats, all seeking shelter from the gale-force winds predicted for the channel.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal

n. a person who does just enough work to get by without trying hard.

n. an individual who exerts the minimum effort required to maintain their position or progress, effectively 'coasting' through tasks.

“He used to be a top student, but lately he has become a bit of a coaster.”

“Management identified several coasters in the department who were relying on the momentum of the team rather than contributing to the new project.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Computing Slang

n. a CD or DVD that did not record correctly and is now useless.

n. a slang term for a recordable optical disc that has been rendered useless by a write error during the burning process.

“The power went out while I was burning the disc, so now it is just a coaster.”

“Before high-speed internet became standard, a single buffer underrun could turn an expensive blank media disc into a shiny plastic coaster.”