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Glite Dictionary
roller ski

roller ski

6.5
A long narrow frame with wheels used for training on roads when there is no snow
  • noun
  • /ˈroʊlər ski/
  • UK
translation icon : esquí de ruedas
  • He bought a new pair of roller skis for summer training.

Examples

  • After a few lessons, she became confident using her new roller skis on the bike path.

  • Some athletes use roller skis as part of their off-season training routine.

  • The cross-country team practiced on roller skis over the summer to stay in shape.

  • I love using my roller ski on sunny days.

  • To prepare for the winter season, she practiced her technique on roller skis throughout the summer.

  • Many cross-country skiers use roller skis for training when there is no snow.

  • The team spent the afternoon racing on roller skis along the smooth bike path.

Surface Forms

roller ski singular
roller skis plural

Morphology

roller + ski

The meaning 'a ski fitted with wheels' is directly and compositionally derived from 'roller' (wheel) + 'ski' (skiing equipment); a B1 learner who knows both words can infer a ski with rollers for use on pavement. This noun–noun compound follows a regular, cross-linguistically common compounding pattern, making the sense immediately comprehensible without prior exposure.

Etymology

Roller ski comes from the simple picture of a ski with a small roller, or wheel, so it can roll along a road. That's why it means 'a ski fitted with wheels used for training when there is no snow'.