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

Other Word Forms

• roarer noun
• outroar verb (used with object)
• underroarer 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

But Roz knew hidden animals were watching, and she greeted them with a mighty roar.

Read more on Literature

At least 19 people in Jamaica have died as a result of Hurricane Melissa which devastated the island nation when it roared ashore this week, a government minister told broadcasters late Thursday.

Read more on Barron's

For instance, the stock market is roaring at the same time that a majority of Americans are unhappy about the economy and are worried about job security and inflation, she said.

Read more on MarketWatch

"There's this weird roar that sounds like it's coming from the sea," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Read more on BBC

When the motor roars on, everyone cheers and sends us off with handshakes and well wishes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• barrage 
• blast 
• boom 
• clamor 
• cry 
• drum 
• explosion 
• outcry 
• rumble 
• shout 
• thunder 
• uproar