B1 Noun, Verb Neutre #49 le plus courant 1 min de lecture

roar

/rɔːr/

The word 'roar' captures the essence of deep, powerful, and overwhelming sound across many different contexts.

Mot en 30 secondes

  • A deep, powerful, and very loud sound.
  • Used for animals, engines, crowds, and natural forces.
  • Functions as both a naming word and an action word.

Overview

'Roar' is a versatile word that primarily describes a high-volume, resonant sound. While its most literal application is the vocalization of large predators like lions or bears, it has broad metaphorical and descriptive applications in English. It conveys a sense of power, intensity, and often overwhelming scale. 2) Usage Patterns: As a verb, it is frequently used with the preposition 'with' (e.g., 'roar with laughter') or 'at' (e.g., 'roar at the crowd'). As a noun, it often appears in the structure 'the roar of [something],' such as 'the roar of the engine' or 'the roar of the waves.' 3) Common Contexts: You will encounter 'roar' in nature documentaries, sports reporting (referring to the crowd), automotive reviews (referring to engines), and literature to describe stormy weather. It is also common in idiomatic expressions regarding success or laughter. 4) Similar Words Comparison: Unlike 'shout' or 'scream,' which are typically high-pitched and human-centric, a 'roar' is deep and guttural. While a 'rumble' is also deep, it is usually lower in volume and more vibration-focused, whereas a 'roar' is distinctly loud and aggressive.

Exemples

1

The lion let out a terrifying roar that could be heard for miles.

everyday

The lion let out a terrifying roar that could be heard for miles.

2

The jet engines roared as the plane accelerated down the runway.

formal

The jet engines roared as the plane accelerated down the runway.

3

The whole room roared with laughter at his joke.

informal

The whole room roared with laughter at his joke.

4

The ocean's roar was the only sound in the desolate coastal town.

academic

The ocean's roar was the only sound in the desolate coastal town.

Collocations courantes

roar with laughter laugh very loudly
a lion's roar the sound a lion makes
roar to life suddenly start working loudly (usually an engine)

Phrases Courantes

roaring success

a very great success

roar of approval

loud cheering from a crowd

Souvent confondu avec

roar vs Bellow

Bellow is typically used for a deep, loud shout from a human, often in anger, whereas roar is more general.

roar vs Screech

A screech is high-pitched and piercing, while a roar is always deep and low-pitched.

Modèles grammaticaux

roar (verb) + with + [emotion] the roar (noun) + of + [source] roar (verb) + at + [target]

How to Use It

Notes d'usage

The word 'roar' is neutral in register and can be used in almost any setting. It is highly effective in creative writing to add sensory detail. When used for humans, it often implies a loss of control, such as in extreme anger or extreme joy.


Erreurs courantes

Learners sometimes use 'roar' for high-pitched sounds because they associate it with 'loudness' generally. Remember that 'roar' must be deep. Also, ensure you don't confuse the noun 'roar' with the adjective 'roaring' (e.g., 'a roaring fire').

Tips

💡

Use for powerful mechanical sounds

When describing a sports car or a jet engine, 'roar' is the most natural word to describe that deep, powerful noise.

⚠️

Avoid for high-pitched noises

Do not use 'roar' for whistles, bird chirps, or high-pitched screams; it must be a deep-toned sound.

🌍

The Roaring Twenties

In history, the 1920s are called the 'Roaring Twenties' to signify a period of loud, energetic social and economic growth.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Old English 'rārian,' which meant to wail or bellow. It has been used to describe the sound of animals and the sea for over a thousand years.

Contexte culturel

In Western culture, the 'roar' is often associated with the MGM lion in cinema or the concept of 'finding your roar,' which means finding your courage or voice.

Astuce mémo

Visualize the 'O' in 'roar' as the wide-open mouth of a lion making a deep, round sound.

Questions fréquentes

4 questions

Yes, it is very common to say people 'roar with laughter,' which means they are laughing very loudly and uncontrollably.

No, while lions are the most famous examples, engines, oceans, wind, and even large crowds of people can roar.

A 'roar' is a general deep sound, while 'bellow' usually refers specifically to a person shouting in a deep, angry, or loud voice.

No, it can be an adjective, such as in the phrase 'a roaring fire' or 'a roaring success,' meaning very intense or successful.

Teste-toi

fill blank

The crowd began to ___ when the player scored the winning goal.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : roar

The base form 'roar' follows the infinitive 'to'.

multiple choice

Select the best subject for the verb 'roar'.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : A motorcycle engine

Motorcycle engines produce the deep, loud sound characteristic of a roar.

sentence building

the / lion / heard / We / forest / in / the / roaring

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : We heard the lion roaring in the forest.

This follows the standard Subject-Verb-Object-Participle-Adverbial phrase structure.

Score : /3

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