English Reference
adjective · verb · noun

rolling

adj. · v. · n.
US /ˈɹoʊɫɪŋ/ UK /ɹˈəʊlɪŋ/ rolling UK spelling rollings

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    adj.describing hills or land that go up and down in a gentle, smooth way.

    adj.characterised by gentle undulations or smooth, rising and falling slopes.

    Simple

    The bus drove through miles of rolling green hills in the countryside.

    In context

    The rolling landscape of the Cotswolds provides a picturesque backdrop for hikers seeking a moderate challenge without steep climbs.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.happening in stages or continuing over a period of time rather than all at once.

    adj.occurring in a staggered or continuous sequence; often used for schedules or financial periods that reset regularly.

    Simple

    The city introduced rolling blackouts to save electricity during the heatwave.

    In context

    The company operates on a rolling contract basis, allowing for monthly renewals rather than a fixed annual commitment.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced InformalSlang

    adj.having a lot of money; a shorter way of saying 'rolling in it'.

    adj.an elliptical use of the phrase 'rolling in it', signifying extreme wealth or financial abundance.

    Simple

    He just won the lottery, so now he is absolutely rolling.

    In context

    After the successful IPO of her tech startup, she found herself rolling, with more capital than she knew how to manage.

  4. 04 C2 Proficiency Slang

    adj.feeling the effects of the drug MDMA (ecstasy).

    adj.experiencing the peak effects of MDMA, typically characterised by euphoria and physical sensations.

    Simple

    The music was loud and the lights were bright, and he realized he was rolling.

    In context

    The medical tent was prepared to assist festival-goers who were rolling too hard and experiencing dehydration or anxiety.

  5. 05 A2 Elementary

    v.the action of moving by turning over and over or using wheels.

    v.the present participle of 'roll', describing motion through rotation or the use of wheels.

    Simple

    The ball went rolling across the grass and into the pond.

    In context

    The heavy boulders came rolling down the mountainside after the earthquake, blocking the main access road to the village.

  6. 06 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.the act of making something into a tube or moving it by turning.

    n.the action or process of flattening, shaping, or moving something through rotation.

    Simple

    The rolling of the dough is the most important part of making a pizza.

    In context

    The industrial rolling of steel requires immense pressure and precise temperature control to ensure the sheets are of uniform thickness.

Usage rolling out new

With Romanian ​imports now unavailable, Moldova faces the prospect of increased purchases from Ukraine, ​if Kyiv can supply the ‌power, buying more ​expensive power from ​western countries or imposing rolling power cuts.

The Guardian· 14 Aug 2026

Flock, the US surveillance firm, is rolling out new safeguards to prevent police misuse of its technology which, its founder and chief executive admits, should have happened sooner.

BBC News· 13 Aug 2026

By surface analysis, roll + -ing.

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

This entry
Level C2 · Proficiency
Frequency Common
Updated