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Roll Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐ŸŒ€
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roll

[roสŠl ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

game

To move by turning over and over on an axis.

Synonyms

rotate, spin, turn.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
roll

Use 'roll' when something moves by turning over itself on a surface, especially in a circular motion. This can refer to physical objects or abstract concepts.

  • The ball rolled down the hill.
  • Let's roll out the dough for the pizza.
turn

Use 'turn' for any kind of change in direction or position, often used in everyday situations. This is a general term for various forms of movement.

  • Please turn the doorknob to open the door.
  • You need to turn left at the next intersection.
rotate

Use 'rotate' when something turns around an axis or center point. This can refer to both physical movement and abstract changes such as job roles or responsibilities.

  • You need to rotate the tires every 5,000 miles.
  • We will rotate the committee chairperson every year.
spin

Use 'spin' when something turns quickly around an axis. This word often gives the sense of high-speed rotation and can be used in both physical and figurative contexts.

  • The dancer can spin very fast on one foot.
  • He began to spin tales of his adventures.

Examples of usage

  • He rolled the ball across the floor.
  • She rolled down the hill.
Context #2 | Noun

food

A small piece of bread, meat, etc., that is filled with something and rolled up.

Synonyms

scroll, tortilla, wrap.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
roll

Can also mean a type of bread that is small and round.

  • I bought a roll from the bakery to have with my soup.
wrap

Used to describe the action of covering something by winding or folding material around it. It can also refer to a type of sandwich made with a tortilla or other flatbread.

  • Please wrap the gift before you give it to him.
  • She ordered a chicken wrap for lunch.
scroll

Used to describe the action of moving content up or down on a screen or a piece of parchment that can be rolled up.

  • She had to scroll down to read the entire article.
  • The ancient scroll contained valuable historical information.
tortilla

Refers to a type of thin, round flatbread used in Mexican cuisine.

  • I love to make tacos with corn tortillas.
  • She heated the tortilla on the skillet before adding the filling.

Examples of usage

  • She made delicious sushi rolls for dinner.
  • He ordered a turkey roll for lunch.
Context #3 | Noun

motion

A movement in which something turns over on itself.

Synonyms

flip, rotation, twist.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
roll

When something turns over itself in a continuous or smooth motion, typically in a horizontal direction.

  • The ball started to roll down the hill.
  • He loves to roll in bed before getting up.
rotation

When something makes a complete turn around an axis, can be used in technical or scientific contexts.

  • The Earthโ€™s rotation around its axis takes 24 hours.
  • The rotation speed of the engine is crucial.
twist

When something is turned into a spiral shape or bent out of shape, often with force. Can sometimes have a negative connotation if it implies distortion.

  • He twisted the cap off the bottle.
  • The plot had such a surprising twist at the end.
  • Don't twist my words!
flip

When something is turned over quickly, usually in a sudden motion, often vertical.

  • She can flip a pancake perfectly.
  • The gymnast managed to flip in the air effortlessly.

Examples of usage

  • The ship gave a sudden roll in rough seas.
  • The gymnast performed a series of rolls on the mat.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Sports

  • In sports, rolling can refer to strategies in games like bowling, where the ball rolls towards the pins.
  • Roll is also a term in gymnastics for performing a forward or backward roll, showcasing agility and coordination.

Music

  • The term 'rock and roll' emerged in the 1950s, blending rhythm and blues with rock for catchy tunes.
  • Drummers often use 'rolls' when playing to create a rhythm by rapidly hitting the drum in succession.

Food

  • In the culinary world, 'roll' can refer to bread rolls which are popular in many cuisines around the world.
  • Sushi is often rolled into a cylindrical shape, showcasing how this technique can create delightful flavors.

Film & Animation

  • In animation, rolling can describe a technique used to create motion or action sequences, making them lively.
  • Cinematographers often 'roll' when filming, referring to starting the recording process to capture a scene.

Origin of 'roll'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'roll' comes from the Old French 'roller' which means to turn over or to roll!
  • In Middle English, it was spelled 'rollen,' showing its evolution over time.

The word 'roll' originated from the Old English word 'rolla', which meant 'a roll of parchment'. Over time, its meaning expanded to include various forms of rotation or turning over. The use of 'roll' in the context of food likely arose from the action of rolling up ingredients in a cylindrical shape. Today, 'roll' is a versatile word with multiple meanings in different contexts.

See also: enrol, enroll, roller, rollerblader, rolling, rollout, unroll, unrolled.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,652, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.