ENGLISH
REFERENCE

roll

v. · n.
US //ˈɹoʊɫ// UK //ɹˈəʊl// roll
  1. 1 to move by turning (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to move by turning over and over, like a ball or a wheel.

    to move along a surface by revolving on an axis; to impel forward with a revolving motion.

    Example

    The ball rolled across the grass and stopped near the tree.

    Example

    The heavy marble sphere began to roll down the incline, gathering significant momentum as it approached the base of the pedestal.
  2. 2 to wrap or shape (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to wrap something around itself to make a tube or a ball.

    to wrap a flexible material around itself or an object to form a cylindrical or spherical shape.

    Example

    She rolled the poster carefully so it wouldn't get damaged in the mail.

    Example

    The chef demonstrated how to roll the pastry dough tightly around the filling to ensure the strudel maintained its shape during baking.
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  1. 3 to flatten with a tool (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Cooking

    to make something flat or smooth using a heavy tube.

    to press, level, or spread a substance using a roller.

    Example

    You need to roll the dough until it is very thin.

    Example

    After the asphalt was poured, the construction crew used a steamroller to roll the surface until it was perfectly level with the existing pavement.
  2. 4 to throw dice (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to throw dice in a game.

    to throw one or more dice to determine a random outcome in a game of chance.

    Example

    It is your turn to roll the dice and move your piece.

    Example

    The player needed to roll a double six to win the game, but the dice landed on a disappointing three and four.
  3. 5 to start moving or filming (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    to start a process, a journey, or a camera recording.

    to begin an operation or journey; in media, to begin recording or filming.

    Example

    We need to get this project rolling if we want to finish on time.

    Example

    The director shouted for the cameras to roll, and the set immediately fell into a disciplined silence as the lead actor began his monologue.
  4. 6 bread (n.)
    A2 Elementary Cooking

    a small, individual piece of bread.

    a small, often rounded individual portion of bread.

    Example

    I had a chicken salad roll for lunch today.

    Example

    The bakery is famous for its crusty dinner rolls, which are served warm with herb-infused butter at every meal.
  5. 7 an official list (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    an official list of names, like students in a class.

    an official document or register containing a catalogue of names or items.

    Example

    The teacher called the roll to see who was absent.

    Example

    The historical society maintains a roll of all the soldiers who served in the local regiment during the nineteenth century.
  6. 8 a tube of material (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a long piece of paper, cloth, or film wrapped around a tube.

    a quantity of flexible material wound into a cylindrical form.

    Example

    Can you buy another roll of paper towels at the store?

    Example

    The printer required a fresh roll of high-gloss photographic paper before the final proofs could be generated for the client's approval.
  7. 9 a deep sound (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Music

    a long, deep, rumbling sound like thunder or a drum.

    a heavy, reverberatory sound or a rapid succession of drumbeats.

    Example

    We heard a long roll of thunder in the distance.

    Example

    The performance concluded with a dramatic drum roll that built in intensity until the final crash of the cymbals.
  8. 10 side-to-side movement (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Aviation

    the way a ship or plane tilts from side to side.

    the oscillation of a vessel or aircraft about its longitudinal axis.

    Example

    The ship's roll made several passengers feel seasick.

    Example

    The pilot corrected the aircraft's roll using the ailerons to maintain a level flight path despite the heavy crosswinds.
  9. 11 a period of success (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a period of time when you are very successful or lucky.

    a sustained period of success or luck, typically used in the idiom 'on a roll'.

    Example

    Our team is on a roll; we have won the last five games.

    Example

    After securing three major contracts in a single month, the sales department felt they were truly on a roll.
Etymology 1

From Middle English rollen, partly from Old French roller, roler, röeler, röoler, from Medieval Latin rotulāre (“to roll; to revolve”), from Latin rotula (“a little wheel”), diminutive of rota (“a wheel”); partly from Anglo-Latin rollāre, from the same ultimate source. Displaced native English welt.

Etymology 2

From Middle English rolle, from Old French rolle, role, roule, from Medieval Latin rotulus (“a roll, list, catalogue, schedule, record, a paper or parchment rolled up”); as such, it is a doublet of role and rotulus.

Word family
Idioms21 entries

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