verb (used without object)
- to utter a loud, deep cry or howl, as in excitement, distress, or anger.
- to laugh loudly or boisterously: to roar at a joke.
- to make a loud sound or din, as thunder, cannon, waves, or wind.
- to function or move with a loud, deep sound, as a vehicle: The automobile roared away.
- to make a loud noise in breathing, as a horse.
verb (used with object)
- to utter or express in a roar: to roar denials.
- to bring, put, make, etc., by roaring: to roar oneself hoarse.
noun
- a loud, deep cry or howl, as of an animal or a person: the roar of a lion.
- a loud, confused, constant noise or sound; din; clamor: the roar of the surf; the roar of lively conversation from the crowded party.
- a loud outburst: a roar of laughter; a roar of approval from the audience.
verb (mainly intr)
- (of lions and other animals) to utter characteristic loud growling cries
- (also tr) (of people) to utter (something) with a loud deep cry, as in anger or triumph
- to laugh in a loud hearty unrestrained manner
- (of horses) to breathe with laboured rasping soundsSee roaring (def. 6)
- (of the wind, waves, etc) to blow or break loudly and violently, as during a storm
- (of a fire) to burn fiercely with a roaring sound
- (of a machine, gun, etc) to operate or move with a loud harsh noise
- (tr) to bring (oneself) into a certain condition by roaringto roar oneself hoarse
noun
- a loud deep cry, uttered by a person or crowd, esp in anger or triumph
- a prolonged loud cry of certain animals, esp lions
- any similar noise made by a fire, the wind, waves, artillery, an engine, etc
- a loud unrestrained burst of laughter
Old English rarian “roar, wail, lament, bellow, cry,” probably of imitative origin (cf. Middle Dutch reeren, German röhren “to roar;” Sanskrit ragati “barks;” Lithuanian reju “to scold;” Old Church Slavonic revo “I roar;” Latin raucus “hoarse”). Related: Roared; roaring.
late 14c., from roar (v.) and Old English gerar.