roger

interjection

rog·er ˈrä-jər

—used especially in radio and signaling to indicate that a message has been received and understood

roger transitive verb

Word History

Etymology

from Roger, former communications code word for the letter r

First Known Use

circa 1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of roger was circa 1941

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Roger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roger. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

roger

interjection

rog·er ˈräj-ər

—used especially in radio and signaling to say that a message has been received and understood

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

spontaneous

Listen to the pronunciation of spontaneous

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Using Bullet Points ( • )

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

13 Wonderful Words That You're Not Using (Yet)

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

Birds Say the Darndest Things

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

Popular

Using Bullet Points ( • )

13 Wonderful Words That You're Not Using (Yet)

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs