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

The guttural roar which greeted her winning crosscourt forehand on match point indicated Raducanu's satisfaction, as did the beaming smile across her face as she handed out high fives to the whole British team afterwards.

From BBC

In a video from the event, audience members can be seen roaring at the thought of a media bloodbath.

From Salon

Nadal, with his blistering left-handed forehand and fiery celebratory roars, ended his Swiss opponent's five-year winning streak at Wimbledon in the 2008 final - regarded by many as the greatest match of all time.

From BBC

"I want to say a big thank you to President Donald Trump for being here tonight," said Jones, receiving a huge roar of approval from the crowd.

From BBC

Large pockets of the crowd carrying Croatia flags in support of Miocic roared "Stipe, Stipe" in the early moments, but Jones silenced them with an early takedown.

From BBC

Related Words

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