rolling

[roh-ling]

noun

1. the action, motion, or sound of anything that rolls.

adjective

1. moving by revolving or turning over and over.

2. rising and falling in gentle slopes, as land.

   rolling hills.

3. moving in undulating billows, as clouds or waves.

   Jessica felt a peace steal over her as she watched the rolling waves.

4. rocking or swaying from side to side.

   The rolling movement of the train car lulled most of the passengers to sleep.

5. turning or folding over, as a collar.

6. producing a deep, continuous sound.

   rolling thunder.

7. steadily moving onward in a series of stages.

   a rolling program of renovations.

rolling

/ ˈrəʊlɪŋ /

adjective

1. having gentle rising and falling slopes; undulating

   rolling country

2. progressing or spreading by stages or by occurrences in different places in succession, with continued or increasing effectiveness

   three weeks of rolling strikes disrupted schools

3. subject to regular review and updating

   a rolling plan for overseas development

4. deeply resounding; reverberating

   rolling thunder

5. slang,  extremely rich

6. that may be turned up or down

   a rolling hat brim

adverb

1. slang,  swaying or staggering (in the phrase rolling drunk )

Other Word Forms

• rollingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of rolling¹

First recorded in 1400–50; Late Middle English; roll, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. rolling in (something), luxuriating or abounding in (something, especially money).

   As a nonprofit, the Tandy Academy of Music is not exactly rolling in cash.

2. rolling (in the aisles), (of an audience or audience member) convulsed with laughter: Also in the aisles

   Arden had her audience in tears with one song, then rolling in the aisles with her humor.

Example Sentences

But it remains popular with climbers, drawing about 5,000 to 6,000 summit attempts a year due to its easy road accessibility, adventurous terrain and stunning views of snowcapped peaks and rolling forests.

From Los Angeles Times

Sometimes he would pretend to be a baby, like a literal baby, talking like one, acting helpless, rolling around on the floor.

From Los Angeles Times

He revealed the incident during First Minister's Questions - the highest profile moment of the week - and has taken the first opportunity to keep the story rolling with this letter.

From BBC

Daniel Jones looks really good and Jonathan Taylor is rolling.

From Los Angeles Times

From his front door, he can hop in a side-by-side and traverse miles of rolling sand dunes and rugged boulder piles.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hilly 
• undulating