ENGLISH
REFERENCE

rolling

adj. · v. · n.
US //ˈɹoʊɫɪŋ// UK //ɹˈəʊlɪŋ// rolling
  1. 1 hills and landscape (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The rolling landscape of the Cotswolds provides a picturesque backdrop for hikers seeking a moderate challenge without steep climbs.
  2. 2 continuous or staggered (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The company operates on a rolling contract basis, allowing for monthly renewals rather than a fixed annual commitment.
Show 4 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 very wealthy (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Slang

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    After the successful IPO of her tech startup, she found herself rolling, with more capital than she knew how to manage.
  2. 4 high on drugs (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang

    feeling the effects of the drug MDMA (ecstasy).

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The medical tent was prepared to assist festival-goers who were rolling too hard and experiencing dehydration or anxiety.
  3. 5 moving by turning (v.)
    A2 Elementary

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The heavy boulders came rolling down the mountainside after the earthquake, blocking the main access road to the village.
  4. 6 the act of rolling (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

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

By surface analysis, roll + -ing.

Idioms4 entries

© 2026 English Reference