What does "roar" mean?
A long, loud, deep shout, as of rage or laughter, made with the mouth wide open.
Roar
/ɹɔː/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A long, loud, deep shout, as of rage or laughter, made with the mouth wide open.
- Grammar: roar is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: bellow, announce, assault, attack.
- Useful contrasts: calm, coo, mew.
- Usage evidence: Leo started to roar when he was two years old.
How to use "roar"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "roar" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "roar" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "roar" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "roar" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "roar" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "bellow" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "roar", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A long, loud, deep shout, as of rage or laughter, made with the mouth wide open.
- 2 a very loud utterance (like the sound of an animal) wordnet
- 3 The cry of the lion.
"The Winkies were not a brave people, but they had to do as they were told. So they marched away until they came near to Dorothy. Then the Lion gave a great roar and sprang towards them, and the poor Winkies were so frightened that they ran back as fast as they could."
- 4 a deep prolonged loud noise wordnet
- 5 The deep cry of the bull.
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 the sound made by a lion wordnet
- 7 A loud resounding noise.
"the roar of a motorbike"
- 8 A show of strength or character.
Verb
- 1 To make a loud, deep cry, especially from pain, anger, or other strong emotion. intransitive
"Sole on the barren ſands the ſuff'ring chief / Roar'd out for anguiſh, and indulg'd his grief."
- 2 laugh unrestrainedly and heartily wordnet
- 3 To laugh in a particularly loud manner.
"The audience roared at his jokes."
- 4 utter words loudly and forcefully wordnet
- 5 Of animals (especially a lion), to make a loud deep noise.
"The lioness roared to scare off the hyenas."
Show 10 more definitions
- 6 make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles wordnet
- 7 Generally, of inanimate objects etc., to make a loud resounding noise.
"The brazen throat of war had ceased to roar."
- 8 emit long loud cries wordnet
- 9 To proceed vigorously. figuratively
"United's attempt to extend their unbeaten league sequence to 23 games this season looked to be in shreds as the Seasiders - managed by Ian Holloway - roared into a fully deserved two-goal lead at the interval."
- 10 make a loud noise, as of animal wordnet
- 11 To cry aloud; to proclaim loudly. transitive
"This last action will roar thy infamy."
- 12 act or proceed in a riotous, turbulent, or disorderly way wordnet
- 13 To be boisterous; to be disorderly.
"It was a mad, roaring time, full of extravagance."
- 14 To make a loud noise in breathing, as horses do when they have a certain disease.
- 15 To cry. British, Midlands, North, Yorkshire, informal
"Tom, Tom, the piper's son, Stole a pig, and away he run! The pig was eat, and Tom was beat, And Tom went roaring down the street."
Example
"Leo started to roar when he was two years old."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "roar"?
Common synonyms include: bellow, announce, assault, attack, bang, barbarize.
How do you use "roar" in a sentence?
Leo started to roar when he was two years old.
How do you pronounce "roar"?
Pronounced /ɹɔː/.
Etymology
From Middle English roren, raren, from Old English rārian (“to roar; wail; lament”), from Proto-West Germanic *rairōn, from Proto-Germanic *rairōną (“to bellow; roar”), from Proto-Indo-European *rey- (“to shout; bellow; yell; bark”), perhaps of imitative origin. Cognate with Saterland Frisian roorje (“to roar”), German röhren (“to roar”).