English Reference

Word

roaring

Phoneticsroar·ing

US/ˈɹɔɹɪŋ/

UK/ɹˈɔːɹɪŋ/

Definitions

01very successful

B2

adj. extremely successful, busy, or full of energy.

adj. characterised by great success, prosperity, or vigorous activity.

“The new restaurant was a roaring success and had a long waiting list.”

“Despite the economic downturn, the tech startup became a roaring success, securing millions in venture capital within its first year.”

Informal

Usage

Commonly used in the fixed phrase 'roaring success'.

Antonyms

02loud and powerful

B2

adj. making a very loud, deep, and continuous noise.

adj. producing or characterised by a loud, deep, and prolonged sound.

“We sat by the roaring fire to warm up after our walk in the snow.”

“The hikers could hear the roaring waterfall long before they emerged from the dense forest into the clearing.”

Antonyms

Real-World Examples

“She and Alcaraz enjoyed the occasion, playing with smiles on their faces and roaring each other on after winning a point.”
BBC News · 25 Aug 2026
“If anything similar occurs this time around, the WSL campaign will be off to a roaring start.”
The Guardian · 21 Aug 2026

Etymology

By surface analysis, roar + -ing.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

roarNounroaringAdjective

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/roaring

English Reference