roaring

UK: /ˈrɔːrɪŋ/ US: /ˈrɔrɪŋ/ ,(rôr′ing, rōr′-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

roar•ing /ˈrɔrɪŋ/   n. [uncountable]

1. the act of one that roars:
   the roaring of the wind.

adj. [before a noun]

2. making a roar:
   the roaring thunder.
3. very active;
   highly successful:
   a roaring business.
4. complete;
   utter:
   a roaring idiot.

adv. 

5. very;
   completely:
   roaring drunk.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

roar•ing  (rôr′ing, rōr′-), n. 

1. the act of a person, animal, or thing that roars.
2. a loud, deep cry or sound or a series of such sounds.
3. Veterinary Diseases a disease of horses, caused by respiratory obstruction or vocal cord paralysis, and characterized by loud or rough breathing sounds.

adj. 

4. Animal Behavior making or causing a roar, as an animal or thunder.
5. brisk or highly successful, as trade:
   He did a roaring business selling watches to tourists.
6. characterized by noisy, disorderly behavior;
   boisterous;
   riotous:
   roaring revelry.
7. complete;
   utter;
   out-and-out:
   a roaring idiot; a roaring success.

adv. 

8. very;
   extremely:
   roaring drunk.

• Middle English roryng (noun, nominal, adjective, adjectival), Old English rarung (noun, nominal). See roar, -ing¹, -ing² bef. 1000

roar′ing•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

roaring / ˈrɔːrɪŋ/ adjective

1. very brisk and profitable (esp in the phrase a roaring trade)

adverb

1. noisily or boisterously (esp in the phrase roaring drunk)

noun

1. a loud prolonged cry

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

roar /rɔr/   v. 

1. Animal Behavior to make or say in a loud, deep, continuing sound, as in anger: [no object]
   The crowd roared when she scored the winning basket.
   [~ + object]
   The crowd roared its approval.
   [used with quotations]
   "Get out and stay out!'' he roared.
2. to laugh loudly or boisterously:
   [no object] The audience roared with laughter.
3. to make a loud noise, such as thunder, cannon, etc.:
   [no object] The motorcycles roared off.
4. [no object] to function or move with a loud, deep sound, as a vehicle.

n. [countable]

5. Animal Behavior a roaring sound:
   a roar of laughter.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

roar  (rôr, rōr), v.i. 

1. Animal Behavior to utter a loud, deep cry or howl, as in excitement, distress, or anger.
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.
4. to function or move with a loud, deep sound, as a vehicle:
   The automobile roared away.
5. Animal Behavior to make a loud noise in breathing, as a horse.

v.t. 

6. to utter or express in a roar:
   to roar denials.
7. to bring, put, make, etc., by roaring:
   to roar oneself hoarse.

n. 

8. Animal Behavior a loud, deep cry or howl, as of an animal or a person:
   the roar of a lion.
9. a loud, confused, constant noise or sound;
   din;
   clamor:
   the roar of the surf; the roar of lively conversation from the crowded party.
10. a loud outburst:
    a roar of laughter; a roar of approval from the audience.

• bef. 900; Middle English roren (verb, verbal), Old English rārian; cognate with Old High German rēren to bellow

roar′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. bawl, yell. See cry. 
• 3. resound, boom, thunder, peal.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

roar / 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
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. (transitive) 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

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

ˈroarer noun