What does "rollover" mean?
The process of incrementing, especially back to an initial value.
Rollover
noun, verb
noun, verb ·3 syllables ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The process of incrementing, especially back to an initial value.
- Grammar: rollover is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: capsize, carryover, continuation, cursor-hover.
- Useful contrasts: click-based, data expiry, immobility.
- Usage evidence: For Donkey Kong, the rollover on board 117 causes a “kill screen”—Mario is simply not given enough time to complete the level before time runs out.
How to use "rollover"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "rollover" 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 "rollover" 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 "rollover" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "rollover" 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 "rollover" is acting as noun, verb 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 "capsize" 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 "rollover", 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 The process of incrementing, especially back to an initial value. countable, uncountable
"For Donkey Kong, the rollover on board 117 causes a “kill screen”—Mario is simply not given enough time to complete the level before time runs out."
- 2 the act of changing the institution that invests your pension plan without incurring a tax penalty wordnet
- 3 A road traffic accident in which a vehicle overturns. countable, uncountable
"“They blink if I step on the brake at the same time, and anybody who don't step on his brakes when he's makin^([sic]) a turn is lookin^([sic]) to do a rollover.”"
- 4 A graphic element that changes its appearance when the cursor moves over it. countable, uncountable
"Your Web site doesn't have to be full of the latest dropdowns, rollovers, superslick graphics, or Flash videos."
- 5 A keyboard feature where each key is scanned independently, so that multiple simultaneous keypresses always register correctly. countable, uncountable
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 The sudden ignition of flammable gases (produced by pyrolysis in an oxygen-poor environment) near the ceiling of a room or other enclosed space. countable, uncountable
- 7 The reinvestment of funds in a new issue of the same or similar investment. countable, uncountable
- 8 A fee paid by a borrower in order to defer full repayment of a loan. countable, uncountable
- 9 In the National or European lottery, the situation in which a jackpot that has not been won is carried over to the next week. British, countable, uncountable
- 10 A target on the pinball table that is activated when the ball rolls over it. countable, uncountable
"One thing I hate about some pinball games is that they don't let you know your current objective, what happens when you hit specific targets or rollovers, or what targets you should be aiming for right now."
Verb
- 1 Misspelling of roll over. alt-of, misspelling
Antonyms
Example
"For Donkey Kong, the rollover on board 117 causes a “kill screen”—Mario is simply not given enough time to complete the level before time runs out."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "rollover"?
Common synonyms include: capsize, carryover, continuation, cursor-hover, extendable, flip.
How do you use "rollover" in a sentence?
For Donkey Kong, the rollover on board 117 causes a “kill screen”—Mario is simply not given enough time to complete the level before time runs out.
Etymology
Deverbal from roll over.