Roller: meaning, definitions and examples

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roller

 

[ ˈroʊlər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

sport

A cylindrical object that is used in various sports and games, such as roller skating, rollerblading, and roller hockey. It typically has wheels on the bottom and is used for gliding or moving on a surface.

Synonyms

skate, wheel.

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Word Description / Examples
roller

Can also refer to a type of skate that has multiple wheels, used for inline skating.

  • She put on her rollers and went to the park.
skate

Generally refers to a shoe with wheels (either inline or quad) or a blade for gliding on ice. Often used in sports or recreational activities.

  • He loves to skate at the ice rink.
wheel

A circular object that rotates around an axle, used in various machines and vehicles. Common in daily life references or mechanical contexts.

  • The wheel on his bike needs to be replaced.

Examples of usage

  • People enjoy roller skating in the park.
  • She fell while rollerblading down the street.
  • The players were practicing roller hockey on the rink.
Context #2 | Noun

household

A cylindrical tool with a handle that is used for applying paint to walls or other surfaces. It typically has a rolling mechanism that allows for smooth and even distribution of paint.

Synonyms

paint applicator, paint roller.

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Word Description / Examples
roller

Usually used when specifying is unnecessary, or when speaking about painting in a general sense.

  • Hand me the roller, I want to start painting.
  • She quickly grabbed the roller to finish the last wall.
paint roller

Specifically refers to a cylindrical tool used to apply paint evenly on flat surfaces. Standard term in home improvement and painting.

  • The paint roller helped him finish the room quickly.
  • Don't forget to wash the paint roller after use.
paint applicator

A more technical term that signifies any tool used to apply paint, such as brushes, rollers, or pads. Common in professional or instructional settings.

  • Select the right paint applicator depending on the type of paint and surface.
  • He purchased a new paint applicator set for his home improvement project.

Examples of usage

  • She used a roller to paint the walls of her room.
  • The roller made the painting job much faster and easier.
Context #3 | Noun

mechanical

A small rotating cylinder or wheel used in machinery to facilitate movement or reduce friction. It can be found in various mechanical systems and devices.

Synonyms

cylinder, wheel.

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Word Description / Examples
roller

This term is often used to describe a cylindrical tool that helps apply paint or to refer to a piece of equipment in sports or fitness that helps in exercises.

  • She used a roller to apply the paint evenly on the wall.
  • After running, he used a foam roller to massage his muscles.
wheel

This term is commonly used to refer to a round object that helps vehicles move. It can also be used in contexts involving machinery, transportation, or cycling.

  • The car got a flat tire, so they had to change the wheel.
  • The bicycle's front wheel was damaged in the accident.
cylinder

This term is typically used in technical or scientific contexts to describe a solid geometric shape with straight parallel sides and a circular or oval cross-section, or in engineering to refer to a component of an engine.

  • The mathematician asked the students to calculate the volume of the cylinder.
  • The mechanic replaced the faulty cylinder in the engine.

Examples of usage

  • The roller in the machine helps guide the paper through smoothly.
  • The conveyor belt has rollers to assist in transporting items.

Translations

Translations of the word "roller" in other languages:

🇵🇹 rolo

🇮🇳 रोलर

🇩🇪 Rolle

🇮🇩 rol

🇺🇦 валик

🇵🇱 wałek

🇯🇵 ローラー (rōrā)

🇫🇷 rouleau

🇪🇸 rodillo

🇹🇷 rulo

🇰🇷 롤러 (roller)

🇸🇦 أسطوانة (usṭuwāna)

🇨🇿 váleček

🇸🇰 valček

🇨🇳 滚筒 (gǔntǒng)

🇸🇮 valj

🇮🇸 rúlla

🇰🇿 ролик

🇬🇪 როლიკი (roliki)

🇦🇿 rulon

🇲🇽 rodillo

Etymology

The term 'roller' originated in the late 18th century, derived from the verb 'roll'. It initially referred to a cylinder used for rolling or crushing materials. Over time, the term expanded to include various cylindrical objects used in different contexts, such as sports, painting, and machinery. The concept of rollers has evolved to play a significant role in everyday life, providing ease and efficiency in diverse applications.

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

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,009 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.