1 A2 neutral
To move around by rolling in different directions.
"The children rolled around on the grass, shrieking with delight."
roll around
A2 neutral intransitive
To move by rolling in various directions, to laugh uncontrollably, or (of a time or event) to arrive as part of a regular cycle.
In plain English
To roll in different directions, OR to say that a regular time (like Christmas) has come again.
What does "roll around" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 idiomatic neutral
(Of a recurring time, date, or event) to arrive again as part of a regular cycle.
"Every time exam season rolls around, she wishes she had started studying earlier."
“
When the dog days of summer roll around, I find myself craving cold lemonade.
3 B1 idiomatic informal
To laugh so hard that one's body moves uncontrollably.
"We were rolling around laughing by the time he finished the story."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To roll in a circular or aimless manner — transparent for the physical sense.
Actually means
To roll in different directions, OR to say that a regular time (like Christmas) has come again.
Usage tip
The temporal sense ('when summer rolls around') is extremely common in both British and American English. The laughter sense is informal and very vivid. Physical sense is common when describing animals, children, or sports (wrestling, gymnastics).
Words that pair with "roll around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
floor grass time season year laughter Christmas elections
How to conjugate "roll around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
roll around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rolls around
he/she/it
Past simple
rolled around
yesterday
Past participle
rolled around
have + pp
-ing form
rolling around
continuous
Hear "roll around" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "roll around" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.