holy roller: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Often Pejorative
Quick answer
What does “holy roller” mean?
A member of a Christian religious group characterized by fervent, emotionally demonstrative worship, often involving shouting, ecstatic dancing, or falling on the ground.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of a Christian religious group characterized by fervent, emotionally demonstrative worship, often involving shouting, ecstatic dancing, or falling on the ground.
A term used pejoratively to describe anyone perceived as overly zealous, fanatical, or excessively demonstrative in their religious (or sometimes secular) enthusiasm.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in American English due to its origins in American Pentecostal and revivalist movements. In British English, it's understood but less frequent; similar concepts might use 'happy clappy' (less pejorative) or 'zealot'.
Connotations
Strongly pejorative in both varieties, implying anti-intellectualism and hysteria. In the US, it can carry specific historical/cultural baggage related to the Bible Belt.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but higher in American English, particularly in cultural/political commentary.
Grammar
How to Use “holy roller” in a Sentence
[Subject] is a holy roller.They dismissed him as a holy roller.The meeting turned into a holy roller session.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “holy roller” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The documentary portrayed the revivalists as little more than holy rollers.
- He's turned into a proper holy roller since joining that church.
American English
- The political rally had the fervor of a holy roller revival meeting.
- Don't be such a holy roller about the company's new sustainability policy.
adverb
British English
- He preached holy-roller style, sweating and gesticulating wildly.
American English
- They celebrated holy-roller loud when the bill passed.
adjective
British English
- He gave a holy-roller speech that left the audience bemused.
- The meeting took on a holy-roller intensity.
American English
- She's got a holy-roller attitude about her diet and exercise.
- The campaign adopted a holy-roller tone.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically: 'The new CEO is a holy roller for quarterly targets.'
Academic
Rare, except in historical/sociological studies of American religion.
Everyday
Informal, used in conversation to criticise excessive zeal, religious or otherwise.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “holy roller”
- Confusing with 'high roller' (a wealthy gambler).
- Capitalising it as a proper noun (it is not).
- Using it in formal or respectful contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in modern usage it is almost always pejorative, implying excessive, unthinking, or hysterical zeal. Historically, some groups may have used it neutrally or proudly, but this is rare today.
Yes, frequently. It is often used metaphorically for anyone displaying fanatical enthusiasm for a cause, ideology, or even a product (e.g., 'He's a holy roller for Apple products.').
It originated in early 20th-century America, specifically associated with Pentecostal and Holiness church revivals where participants would experience ecstatic states and sometimes roll on the floor.
Yes, it can be highly offensive, especially to members of religious groups known for expressive worship. It dismisses sincere belief as mere emotionalism and should be used with caution, if at all.
A member of a Christian religious group characterized by fervent, emotionally demonstrative worship, often involving shouting, ecstatic dancing, or falling on the ground.
Holy roller is usually informal, often pejorative in register.
Holy roller: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhəʊli ˈrəʊlə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhoʊli ˈroʊlər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No direct idioms, but used metaphorically: 'He's a holy roller about clean energy.'”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone so 'holy' they 'roll' on the floor in religious ecstasy.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELIGIOUS FERVOUR IS A PHYSICAL CONVULSION / EXCESS IS A LACK OF CONTROL.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'holy roller' MOST likely be used pejoratively?