Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense roars, present participle roaring, past tense, past participle roared
1. verb
If something, usually a vehicle, roars somewhere, it goes there very fast, making a loud noise.
[written]
A police car roared past. [VERB adverb/preposition]
The plane roared down the runway for takeoff. [VERB adverb/preposition]
Flames roared hundreds of feet into the air.
Synonyms: speed More Synonyms of roar
2. verb
If something roars, it makes a very loud noise.
[written]
The engine roared, and the vehicle leapt forward. [VERB]
Her heart was pounding and the blood roared in her ears. [VERB]
...the roaring waters of Niagara Falls. [VERB-ing]
Synonyms: thunder, crash, boom, rumble More Synonyms of roar
Roar is also a noun.
...the roar of traffic. [+ of]
Local residents saw it plunge towards Earth with a deafening roar.
3. verb
If someone roarswith laughter, they laugh in a very noisy way.
Max threw back his head and roared with laughter. [VERB + with]
[Also VERB]
Synonyms: guffaw, laugh heartily, hoot, double up More Synonyms of roar
Roar is also a noun.
There were roars of laughter as he stood up. [+ of]
4. verb
If someone roars, they shout something in a very loud voice.
[written]
'I'll kill you for that,' he roared. [VERB with quote]
During the playing of the national anthem the crowd roared and whistled. [VERB]
The audience roared its approval. [VERB noun]
[Also Vfor n]
Synonyms: cry, shout, yell, howl More Synonyms of roar
Roar is also a noun.
There was a roar of approval. [+ of]
5. verb
When a lion roars, it makes the loud sound that lions typically make.
The lion roared once, and sprang. [VERB]
Roar is also a noun.
...the roar of lions in the distance. [+ of]
More Synonyms of roar
roar in British English
(rɔː)
verb(mainly intr)
1.
(of lions and other animals) to utter characteristic loud growling cries
2. (also tr)
(of people) to utter (something) with a loud deep cry, as in anger or triumph
3.
to laugh in a loud hearty unrestrained manner
4.
(of horses) to breathe with laboured rasping sounds
roaring (sense 6)
5.
(of the wind, waves, etc) to blow or break loudly and violently, as during a storm
6.
(of a fire) to burn fiercely with a roaring sound
7.
(of a machine, gun, etc) to operate or move with a loud harsh noise
8. (transitive)
to bring (oneself) into a certain condition by roaring
to roar oneself hoarse
noun
9.
a loud deep cry, uttered by a person or crowd, esp in anger or triumph
10.
a prolonged loud cry of certain animals, esp lions
11.
any similar noise made by a fire, the wind, waves, artillery, an engine, etc
12.
a loud unrestrained burst of laughter
Derived forms
roarer (ˈroarer)
noun
Word origin
Old English rārian; related to Old High German rērēn, Middle Dutch reren
roar in American English
(rɔr)
verb intransitive
1.
to utter a loud, deep, rumbling sound, as a lion or a person in excitement, pain, anger, etc.
2.
to breathe with a loud, hoarse, rasping noise, as a diseased horse
3.
to talk or laugh loudly and boisterously
4.
to make a loud noise in moving, operating, etc., as a motor or gun
5.
to resound with a noisy din
verb transitive
6.
to utter in or express with a loud, deep sound
7.
to make, put, force, etc. by roaring
to roar oneself hoarse
noun
8.
a loud, deep, rumbling sound, as of a lion, bull, person or crowd shouting, etc.; sound of roaring
9.
a loud burst of laughter
10.
a loud noise, as of waves, a storm, a motor, etc.; din
Derived forms
roarer (ˈroarer)
noun
Word origin
ME raren < OE rarian, akin to Ger rehren < IE echoic base *rei-, to cry out > Sans rǡyati, (he) bellows, ON rāmr, hoarse
Examples of 'roar' in a sentence
roar
You could build a roaring fire to keep warm and bathe in a natural spring.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There was a loud roar when he came on.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
His colleagues roar with laughter and tell him to get real.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Inside are a cosy kitchen and a small sitting room with roaring fire and plush furnishings.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This was the punch line: the audience roared with laughter.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
When they score, we hear the roars from the crowd.
The Sun (2016)
Think roaring log fires, real ales and an unfussy atmosphere.
The Sun (2017)
There was a pause, then he roared with laughter.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
From a dull murmur it swelled into a deep roar, and then sank back into a melancholy throbbing murmur once again.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It was dark but we heard a roaring sound and then lights of the cars disappeared.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Trying to hear him over the roar of engines is the hard part.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
And the induction roar was a noise that stirred the soul.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The crowd roared them home as they crossed the line arm in arm.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Perfect families smiling joyfully in front of roaring log fires?
The Sun (2012)
The ominous roar grew louder and louder and closer and closer.
Davey, Ray Rev. & Cole, John A Channel of Peace (1993)
She was roaring like a lion and rattling.
Patrick Bishop FIGHTER BOYS: Saving Britain 1940 (2003)
She uses a roar of laughter the way other people use punctuation.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
He could barely hear anything above the roars of what sounded suspiciously like car engines.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He roared with laughter when he heard.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Like taking the cover off a classic car and hearing the engine roar back into life.
The Sun (2007)
He cupped his ears in celebration to roars from the crowd when it was announced he had secured the bronze medal.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The press corps roared its approval.
Christianity Today (2000)
Think manicured gardens, roaring log fires and discreet service.
The Sun (2011)
The roar got louder as the tornado approached, then it was on top of us.
The Sun (2014)
The roar was deep but rising, like machinery going out of control.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The crowd roared approval before departing content after another spectacular display of British pomp and pageantry.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Others followed, and the garages soon roared to the sound of beautiful cars.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Until the crowd roared, the official was not going to do anything.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In front of a roaring fire, of course.
The Sun (2015)
The soft noises of slumber coming from the kitchen were quite comforting until a very alarming, roaring noise boomed down from the hills behind the post.
Edward Beauclerk Maurice THE LAST OF THE GENTLEMEN ADVENTURERS: Coming of Age in the Arctic (2004)
In other languages
roar
British English: roar VERB
vehicle If something, usually a vehicle, roars somewhere, it goes there very fast, making a loud noise.
A police car roared past.
American English: roar
Brazilian Portuguese: rugir
Chinese: > 呼啸疾驰常指车辆
European Spanish: pasar ruidosamente
French: passer en vrombissant
German: heulen
Italian: passare rombando
Japanese: ごう音を立てて走る
Korean: 굉음을 내며 가다
European Portuguese: rugir
Latin American Spanish: pasar ruidosamente
British English: roar VERB
lion When a lion roars, it makes the loud sound that lions typically make.
The lion roared once, and sprang.
American English: roar
Brazilian Portuguese: rugir
Chinese: 吼叫狮子
European Spanish: rugir
French: rugir
German: brüllen
Italian: ruggire
Japanese: うなる
Korean: 으르렁대다
European Portuguese: rugir
Latin American Spanish: rugir
Chinese translation of 'roar'
roar
(rɔːʳ)
n(c)
[of animal]吼叫声(聲) (hǒujiàoshēng)
[of crowd]喧哗(譁) (xuānhuá)
[of traffic, storm]喧闹(鬧)声(聲) (xuānnàoshēng)
vi
[animal]吼叫 (hǒujiào)
[person, crowd]大喊大叫 (dà hǎn dà jiào)
[engine, wind etc]咆哮 (páoxiào)
to roar with laughter哈哈大笑 (hāhā dàxiào)
roar of laughter大笑声(聲) (dàxiàoshēng)
1 (verb)
the roaring waters of Niagara Falls
Synonyms
thunder
the sound of fireworks thundering up above
crash
boom
Thunder boomed like battlefield cannons over Crooked Mountain.
rumble
Thunder rumbled over the Downs.
roll
guns firing, drums rolling, cymbals clashing
2 (verb)
He threw back his head and roared.
Synonyms
guffaw
laugh heartily
hoot
double up
crack up (informal)
We all just cracked up when he told us.
bust a gut (informal)
split your sides (informal)
3 (verb)
Definition
to laugh in a loud hearty manner
‘I'll kill you for that,’ he roared.
Synonyms
cry
`You're under arrest!' he cried.
shout
We began to shout for help.
yell
He was out there shouting and yelling.
howl
The baby was howling for her 3am feed.
bellow
He bellowed the information into the telephone.
clamour
My two grandsons were clamouring to go swimming.
bawl
They were shouting and bawling at each other.
bay
A dog suddenly howled, baying at the moon.
vociferate
4 (verb)
Definition
to make a very loud noise
The plane roared down the runway.
Synonyms
speed
1 (noun)
Definition
a roaring noise
the roar of traffic
Synonyms
rumble
boom
The stillness of the night was broken by the boom of a cannon.
booming
thunder
the thunder of the sea on the rocks
thundering
rumbling
2 (noun)
There were roars of laughter as he stood up.
Synonyms
guffaw
gale (informal)
gales of laughter from the audience
howl
shriek
a shriek of joy
hoot
the hoots of night birds
belly laugh (informal)
3 (noun)
Definition
a loud deep cry, uttered by a person or crowd, esp. in anger or triumph
the roar of lions in the distance
Synonyms
cry
Her brother gave a cry of recognition.
crash
shout
I heard a distant shout.
yell
He let out a yell.
howl
a howl of rage
outcry
She was later reinstated in her job after a public outcry.
bellow
a bellow of tearful rage
clamour
Kathryn's quiet voice stilled the clamour.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bawl
Definition
to shout loudly
They were shouting and bawling at each other.
Synonyms
shout,
call,
scream,
roar,
yell,
howl,
bellow,
bay,
clamour,
holler (informal),
raise your voice,
halloo,
hollo,
vociferate
in the sense of bay
Definition
to howl in deep prolonged tones
A dog suddenly howled, baying at the moon.
Synonyms
howl,
cry,
roar,
bark,
lament,
cry out,
wail,
growl,
bellow,
quest,
bell,
clamour,
yelp
in the sense of bellow
Definition
to make a loud deep cry like that of a bull
He bellowed the information into the telephone.
Synonyms
shout,
call,
cry (out),
scream,
roar,
yell,
howl,
shriek,
clamour,
bawl,
holler (informal)
Synonyms of 'roar'
roar
Explore 'roar' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bellow
Definition
a loud deep roar
a bellow of tearful rage
Synonyms
shout,
call,
cry,
scream,
roar,
yell,
howl,
shriek,
bell,
clamour,
bawl
in the sense of boom
Definition
to make a loud deep echoing sound
Thunder boomed like battlefield cannons over Crooked Mountain.
Synonyms
bang,
roll,
crash,
blast,
echo,
drum,
explode,
roar,
thunder,
rumble,
resound,
reverberate,
peal
in the sense of boom
Definition
a loud deep echoing sound
The stillness of the night was broken by the boom of a cannon.
Synonyms
bang,
report,
shot,
crash,
clash,
blast,
burst,
explosion,
roar,
thunder,
rumble,
clap,
peal,
detonation
in the sense of clamour
Definition
to make a loud noise or outcry
My two grandsons were clamouring to go swimming.
Synonyms
yell,
shout,
scream,
howl,
bawl
in the sense of clamour
Definition
a loud and persistent noise or outcry
Kathryn's quiet voice stilled the clamour.
Synonyms
noise,
shouting,
racket,
outcry,
din,
uproar,
agitation,
blare,
commotion,
babel,
hubbub,
brouhaha,
hullabaloo,
vociferation,
shout
in the sense of crack up
Definition
to have a physical or mental breakdown
We all just cracked up when he told us.
Synonyms
burst out laughing,
laugh,
fall about (laughing),
guffaw,
roar with laughter,
be in stitches,
split your sides
in the sense of gale
Definition
a loud outburst
gales of laughter from the audience
Synonyms
outburst,
scream,
roar,
fit,
storm,
shout,
burst,
explosion,
outbreak,
howl,
shriek,
eruption,
peal,
paroxysm
in the sense of hoot
Definition
the cry of an owl
the hoots of night birds
Synonyms
cry,
shout,
howl,
scream,
shriek,
whoop
in the sense of howl
Definition
to express (something) in a howl or utter such cries
The baby was howling for her 3am feed.
Synonyms
cry,
shout,
bell,
scream,
roar,
weep,
yell,
lament,
cry out,
wail,
shriek,
bellow,
bawl,
yelp,
ululate
in the sense of howl
Definition
a similar cry of pain or sorrow
a howl of rage
Synonyms
cry,
scream,
roar,
bay,
bell,
wail,
outcry,
shriek,
bellow,
clamour,
hoot,
bawl,
yelp,
yowl,
ululation
Additional synonyms
in the sense of outcry
Definition
a widespread or vehement protest
She was later reinstated in her job after a public outcry.
Synonyms
protest,
complaint,
objection,
cry,
dissent,
outburst,
disapproval,
clamour,
uproar,
commotion,
protestation,
exclamation,
formal complaint,
hue and cry,
hullaballoo,
demurral
in the sense of roll
Definition
to make a continuous deep reverberating sound
guns firing, drums rolling, cymbals clashing
Synonyms
rumble,
boom,
echo,
drum,
roar,
thunder,
grumble,
resound,
reverberate
in the sense of shout
Definition
to cry out loudly
We began to shout for help.
Synonyms
cry (out),
call (out),
yell,
scream,
roar,
wail,
shriek,
bellow,
bawl,
holler (informal),
raise your voice,
hollo
in the sense of shout
Definition
a loud call or cry
I heard a distant shout.
Synonyms
cry,
call,
yell,
scream,
roar,
wail,
shriek,
bellow
in the sense of shriek
Definition
a high-pitched scream
a shriek of joy
Synonyms
scream,
cry,
yell,
howl,
wail,
whoop,
screech,
squeal,
holler
in the sense of yell
Definition
to shout, scream, or cheer in a loud or piercing way