Roll back or rollback?
roll back is a verb meaning “To return to a prior state”; rollback is a noun meaning “A return to a prior state by undoing some operation, especially of policy or…”. Use roll back as a verb and rollback as a noun (rollback is also a verb: “To return to the previous state”). roll back is written as two words and rollback as one word; they are used differently.
What is the difference between roll back and rollback?
| roll back | rollback | |
|---|---|---|
| Part of speech | verb | noun, verb |
| Meaning | To return to a prior state To postpone | A return to a prior state by undoing some operation, especially of policy or price changes A withdrawal of military forces To return to the previous state |
| Example | We had to roll back the changes to the database because of an unforeseen error | Near-synonyms: reversion, revert (sometimes synonymous) |
| Forms | none | rollbacks |
| Pronunciation | not recorded | not recorded |
| In writing | not counted (the list counts single words) | about once in every 2 million words |
Sources: roll back and rollback in the English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0); written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
Every current meaning of roll back and rollback
roll back
- 1
To return to a prior state
We had to roll back the changes to the database because of an unforeseen error
- 2
To postpone
NASA will roll back the shuttle launch due to bad weather
- 3
To reduce thrust without having been commanded to do so
- 4
To retreat
rollback
- 1
A return to a prior state by undoing some operation, especially of policy or price changes
- 2
To return to the previous state
The server is unstable, we need to rollback the changes
- 3
A withdrawal of military forces
- 4
To reduce thrust without having been commanded to do so
- 5
An operation which returns a database, or group of records in a database, to a previous state (normally to the previous commit point)
Near-synonyms: reversion, revert (sometimes synonymous)
- 6
The situation where a rollercoaster fails to reach the top of a hill and instead rolls backward
- 7
informalA form of flatbed truck adapted or designed specifically to carry other vehicles, for use in recovery (wrecking, salvage) or for transporting
Near-synonym: tow truck (loosely often synonymous)
- 8
The strategy of forcing a change in the major policies of a state, usually by replacing its ruling regime, or by totally annihilating an enemy's armed forces and occupying the country, as was done in…
Source: the English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0); obsolete, archaic, dialect and rare senses left out.
Which is more common, roll back or rollback?
roll back is a phrase, which the list of single words does not count; rollback about once in every 2 million words.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).