roaring
B2Neutral to informal; can be literary or descriptive in certain contexts.
Definition
Meaning
Making or characterized by a loud, deep, prolonged sound, like that of a lion or strong wind.
Used figuratively to describe something that is very successful, lively, intense, or vigorous.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily functions as an adjective or adverb. As an adjective, it often describes a sound, but also a state of success or intensity. The '-ing' form can also be a gerund or present participle of the verb 'roar'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use the term similarly. The idiom 'do a roaring trade' is slightly more common in UK English.
Connotations
Similar connotations of loudness, success, and intensity in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparable frequency. The adverbial use 'roaring drunk' is perhaps slightly more archaic/idiomatic in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be] roaring with + noun (laughter, pain)[do] a roaring trade in + noun[go] roaring + prepositional phrase (down the motorway, into the night)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “do a roaring trade”
- “the Roaring Twenties”
- “roaring drunk”
- “come roaring back”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The new product line is a roaring success." (Describing commercial success.)
Academic
"The roaring winds of the jet stream influence global weather patterns." (Descriptive in geography/meteorology.)
Everyday
"We sat by the roaring fire on a cold winter's night."
Technical
"The engineer diagnosed a fault from the roaring noise in the turbine bearings." (Descriptive of a specific sound in engineering.)
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The lion was roaring in its enclosure.
- The football fans roared their team on to victory.
American English
- The motorcycle roared down the highway.
- The crowd roared when the home run was hit.
adverb
British English
- He came roaring down the lane on his motorbike.
- The party was roaring loud by midnight.
American English
- The train went roaring past the crossing.
- She was roaring drunk at the company picnic.
adjective
British English
- They built a roaring fire in the hearth.
- His new pub is doing a roaring trade.
American English
- We drove through the roaring windstorm.
- The startup became a roaring success.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The lion is roaring.
- The fire is roaring.
- We heard the roaring of the ocean during the storm.
- The engine was roaring loudly.
- The new café in town is doing a roaring trade in artisan coffee.
- He came roaring into the room, full of excitement.
- Amidst the roaring applause, the actor took a final bow.
- The roaring twenties were characterized by economic prosperity and cultural dynamism.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a LION ROARING loudly. The word contains 'ROAR' + 'ING' – it's the act or state of making that big sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTENSITY IS LOUDNESS (e.g., a roaring success, roaring drunk).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation for 'roaring fire' as 'ревущий огонь'. Use 'пылающий огонь' or 'яркий, горящий огонь'.
- For 'roaring success', avoid 'ревущий успех'. Use 'оглушительный успех' or 'большой успех'.
- The verb 'to roar' is not used for all loud noises; it's specific to animals, engines, crowds, wind, fire.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'roaring' to describe any loud noise (e.g., a 'roaring whisper' is incorrect).
- Confusing 'roaring' (adjective/adverb) with the noun 'roar'.
- Overusing figurative extensions in inappropriate contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'roaring' used figuratively?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its core meaning relates to sounds like a lion's, it is commonly used for loud natural phenomena (wind, fire, water), engines, crowds, and figuratively for great success or intensity.
It is most frequently used as an adjective (e.g., a roaring fire) or as part of the present participle/gerund of the verb 'to roar'. It can also function as an adverb informally (e.g., roaring drunk).
It is an idiom meaning to sell goods or services very quickly and in large quantities; to have a very successful business.
Yes. 'Roaring' is more specific and vivid, implying a deep, continuous, often powerful or wild sound. 'Loud' is a general term for high volume. A whisper can be loud but never roaring.
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