roar

USAGE SUMMARY

'roar' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to a loud, deep sound that some animals, like lions, make. For example: "My pet lion's roar could be heard throughout the house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As RTE ringmaster Bill O'Herlihy tut-tutted in a fatherly and faux po-faced fashion, pundit Eamon Dunphy got to work with his new toy, an electronic pen with which he could enhance and illustrate his analysis by drawing white lines, circles, arrows and squiggles on a monitor after pausing the VT with an often aggressive roar of "Stop it there!" at some unseen flunkie in the production suite.

The Guardian - Sport

Again a huge roar went up; again it was an illusion.

The Guardian - Sport

The roar of the Liberal crowd drowned Kevin Rudd's words: "A short time ago I telephoned Tony Abbott … " The victory party at the Four Seasons in Sydney erupted.

The Guardian

Fans used to roar with anticipation before his set-pieces, and he would play to the crowd by placing a coloured handkerchief over the ball and whipping it off like a magician before hoofing it in the general direction of the net.

The Guardian - Sport

Related: The week in wildlife – in pictures This generosity might make the big beasts of wildlife photography roar with frustration.

The Guardian

New York City had enthralled, intimidated and deafened us with its roar of taxis and hollering vendors.

The Guardian - Music

Anyone who has been stuck in the rain for three hours as trucks roar by knows it can be far from fun, but it is always an adventure.

The Guardian - Opinion

The rooks roar angrily over my head as I wander through the small, tangled wood.

The Guardian

What should have been a roar slowly turned into a slow trickle of enthusiasm.

The Guardian

We'll sing what we want!" roar the White Hart Lane hordes, presumably in response to the Society of Black Lawyers' recent threat to make a complaint to police because what they see as antisemitic abuse is taking place at White Hart Lane.

The Guardian - Sport

And for good reason – a coffee shop is supposed to be a refuge from daily life, not a place to have a tiny purple stranger roar with ingratitude directly into your latte.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "roar" from people, consider whether 'shout', 'yell' or 'cheer' might be more appropriate depending on the sound and context.

Common error

Avoid using "roar" to describe sounds that are not loud or deep. Reserve it for truly resounding noises to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "roar" functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it denotes a loud, deep sound. As a verb, it describes the act of making such a sound. Ludwig AI affirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Sport

24%

Music

8%

Less common in

Travel

2%

Film

5%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "roar" is a versatile term used to describe a loud, deep sound, functioning as both a noun and a verb. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts. Predominantly found in "News & Media", "Sport", and "Music" sources, "roar" effectively conveys intensity and power. When writing, it's best to reserve "roar" for truly resounding noises to maximize its impact and carefully consider if other sounds might be more appropriate to fully capture the intended idea. Alternatives such as "bellow", "thunder", and "boom" can provide subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bellow

Implies a deep, resonant sound, often associated with animals, similar to a "roar" but can also describe a loud shout.

thunder

Refers to a loud, booming noise, similar to the resonant aspect of a "roar", particularly in describing inanimate objects.

boom

Indicates a deep, resonant sound, sharing the loudness aspect of a "roar" but applicable to explosions or deep voices.

cry out

Emphasizes the act of producing a loud sound, akin to "roar" but less specific about the sound's quality.

shout loudly

Highlights the high volume of the sound, similar to "roar" but focusing on vocal expression.

yell

Denotes a loud, sharp cry or shout, sharing the intensity of a "roar" but potentially less deep in tone.

holler

Suggests a loud cry or shout, like a "roar", but often used in a more informal or playful context.

howl

Implies a prolonged, mournful cry, similar to a "roar" in intensity but with a distinct emotional connotation.

blare

Describes a loud, harsh sound, like a "roar", often associated with electronic devices or alarms.

resound

Indicates a loud noise that echoes or reverberates, capturing the resounding quality of a "roar".

FAQs

How can I use "roar" in a sentence?

You can use "roar" to describe the sound an animal makes, such as "The lion's "roar" echoed through the jungle", or to describe a loud noise, such as "The "roar" of the crowd was deafening".

What's the difference between "roar" and "shout"?

"Roar" implies a deep, resonant sound, often associated with animals or large, powerful noises. "Shout" refers to a loud vocalization by a person. A "roar" is typically non-verbal and deeper than a "shout".

Which is correct, "the engine roared" or "the engine shouted"?

"The engine "roared"" is correct. Engines don't "shout"; "roar" is used for deep, loud mechanical sounds.

What can I say instead of "roar"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "bellow", "thunder", or "boom" to describe a loud, deep sound.