roar

[ rawr, rohr ]

verb (used without object)

1. to utter a loud, deep cry or howl, as in excitement, distress, or anger.

   Synonyms: yell, bawl

2. to laugh loudly or boisterously:

   to roar at a joke.

3. to make a loud sound or din, as thunder, cannon, waves, or wind.

   Synonyms: peal, thunder, boom, resound

4. to function or move with a loud, deep sound, as a vehicle:

   The automobile roared away.

5. to make a loud noise in breathing, as a horse.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter or express in a roar:

   to roar denials.

2. to bring, put, make, etc., by roaring:

   to roar oneself hoarse.

noun

1. a loud, deep cry or howl, as of an animal or a person:

   the roar of a lion.

2. a loud, confused, constant noise or sound; din; clamor:

   the roar of the surf; the roar of lively conversation from the crowded party.

3. a loud outburst:

   a roar of laughter; a roar of approval from the audience.

roar

/ rɔː /

verb

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 See roaring
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. tr to bring (oneself) into a certain condition by roaring

   to roar oneself hoarse

noun

1. a loud deep cry, uttered by a person or crowd, esp in anger or triumph
2. a prolonged loud cry of certain animals, esp lions
3. any similar noise made by a fire, the wind, waves, artillery, an engine, etc
4. a loud unrestrained burst of laughter

Derived Forms

• ˈroarer, noun

Other Words From

• roarer noun
• outroar verb (used with object)
• under·roarer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of roar¹

before 900; Middle English roren (v.), Old English rārian; cognate with Old High German rēren to bellow

Word History and Origins

Origin of roar¹

Old English rārian ; related to Old High German rērēn , Middle Dutch reren

Synonym Study

See cry.

Example Sentences

To mark the sense of occasion, there was even a fancy pre-game lightshow and a hair-raising Irish roar when the home side advanced to meet a haka led by Ioane.

From BBC

CaroleAnn Higa, 77, and a roommate escaped their home to the roar of helicopters overhead.

From Los Angeles Times

Indeed, even after a spine-tingling Irish roar as the hosts advanced to face the haka and the novel sight of Andrew Porter charging down an opponent's kick a minute in, the game failed to catch fire.

From BBC

For the record, Postecoglou won the Australian title with South Melbourne and Brisbane Roar, as well as the Japanese League with Yokohama F Marinos, in his second season or second full season.

From BBC

The 59-year-old won the Australian title with both South Melbourne and Brisbane Roar, and the Japanese league with Yokohama F Marinos - all in his second season or second full season.

From BBC

Related Words

• bark
• blast
• boom
• crash
• explode
• holler
• rebound
• resound
• rumble
• shout
• thunder
• yell