roll verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced American Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

Definition of roll verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

roll

verb

NAmE//roʊl//

Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they roll

he / she / it rolls

past simple rolled

-ing form rolling

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turn over

1[intransitive, transitive] to turn over and over and move in a particular direction; to make a round object do this + adv./prep. The ball rolled down the hill. We watched the waves rolling onto the beach. Tears rolled down her cheeks. roll something + adv./prep. Deliverymen were rolling barrels across the yard.

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2[intransitive, transitive] to turn over and over or around and around while remaining in the same place; to make something do this (+ adv./prep.) a dog rolling in the mud Her eyes rolled. roll something (+ adv./prep.) She rolled her eyes upward (= to show surprise or disapproval). He was rolling a pencil between his fingers.

3[intransitive, transitive] roll (somebody/something) over (onto something) roll (somebody/something) (over) onto something to turn over to face a different direction; to make someone or something do this roll over (onto something) She rolled over to get some sun on her back. roll onto something He rolled onto his back. roll somebody/something (over) (onto something) I rolled the baby over onto its stomach. to roll a dice/die (= in a game) She rolled her car in a 100 mph crash.

move (as if) on wheels

4[intransitive, transitive] to move smoothly (on wheels or as if on wheels); to make something do this (+ adv./prep.) The car began to roll back down the hill. The traffic rolled slowly forward. Mist was rolling in from the sea. roll something (+ adv./prep.) He rolled the cart across the room.

make ball/tube

5[transitive, intransitive] roll (something) (up) (into something) to make something/yourself into the shape of a ball or tube I rolled the string into a ball. We rolled up the carpet. a rolled-up newspaper I always roll my own (= make my own cigarettes). The cat rolled up into a ball. compare unroll

fold clothing

6[transitive] to fold the edge of a piece of clothing, etc. over and over on itself to make it shorter roll something up Roll up your sleeves. roll something + adv./prep. She rolled her jeans to her knees.

make something flat

7[transitive] roll something (out) to make something flat by pushing something heavy over it Roll the dough on a floured surface. picture at cooking

wrap up

8[transitive] roll somebody/something/yourself (up) in something to wrap or cover someone or something/yourself in something Roll the meat in the breadcrumbs. He rolled himself up in the blanket.

of ship/plane/walk

9[intransitive, transitive] roll (something) (+ adv./prep.) to move or make something move from side to side He walked with a rolling gait. The ship was rolling heavily to and fro. compare pitch (6)

make sound

10[intransitive, transitive] to make a long continuous sound rolling drums Thunder rolled. roll something to roll your r's (= by letting your tongue vibrate with each “r” sound)

machine

11[intransitive, transitive] when a machine rolls or someone rolls it, it operates They had to repeat the scene because the cameras weren't rolling. roll something Roll the cameras!

Idioms

be rolling in money/it (informal)

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to have a lot of money

get/set/start/keep the ball rolling

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to make something start happening; to make sure that something continues to happen

heads will roll (for something) (informal) (usually humorous)

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used to say that some people will be punished because of something that has happened

let's roll (informal)

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