roller skate

¹

noun

1. a form of skate with four wheels or rollers instead of a runner, for use on a sidewalk or other surface offering traction.

roller-skate

²

or roll·er·skate

[ roh-ler-skeyt ]

verb (used without object)

, roll·er-skat·ed, roll·er-skat·ing.

1. to glide about by means of roller skates.

roller skate

noun

1. a boot or shoe with four small wheels attached that enable the wearer to glide swiftly over a floor or other surface
2. a device having clamps or straps for attaching such wheels to a boot or shoe

verb

1. intr to move on roller skates

Derived Forms

• roller skater, noun

Other Words From

• roller skater noun
• roller·skater noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of roller skate¹

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Origin of roller skate²

First recorded in 1870–75; v. use of roller skate

Example Sentences

Six weeks ago, in an effort to play catch-up to the hugely popular TikTok, Instagram introduced Reels, a service for posting video clips of people dancing on roller skates and making homemade Hot Pockets.

From Fortune

The one shown was pivoted to a roller-skate wheel which in turn was fastened to a metal standard.

From Project Gutenberg

I dare say the colored people here would find it as hard to roller skate as you would to carry a heavy load on your head.

From Project Gutenberg

Geraldine, dressed in her brother's clothes, was kneeling on one knee and hastily strapping on a single roller-skate.

From Project Gutenberg

The fitter was an implement about like a roller skate, with movable wings on the sides and a movable plunger in front of the toes.

From Project Gutenberg

I am led to believe that the roller skate is certainly a great civilizer and a wonderful leveler of mankind.

From Project Gutenberg