Rollback vs. Roll Back
“Rollback” is a closed noun for an act of reducing or reversing something and is also used adjectivally; Cambridge additionally records the hyphenated adjective “roll-back.” “Roll back” is the two-word phrasal verb.
Use “rollback” as the noun for a reversal or reduction. Cambridge also records “roll-back” as an adjective variant. Use “roll back” as the phrasal verb.
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| noun meaning a reversal, reduction, or return to an earlier state | rollback | Use the closed noun. |
| adjective before a noun where the documented variant is appropriate | rollback / roll-back | Cambridge records the closed adjective and a hyphenated adjective variant. |
| verb meaning reverse, reduce, or move back | roll back | Use the two-word phrasal verb. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Is the expression functioning as a verb?
If yes: Use “roll back.”
If no: If it is the noun, use “rollback”; for adjective use, follow the documented closed or hyphenated form and house style.
Caveat: This entry distinguishes noun/adjective spelling from the two-word phrasal verb; it does not claim every editor will choose the same adjective styling.
Examples
The company announced a rollback of the price increase.
“Rollback” is a noun naming the reversal.
They plan to roll back the change next week.
The action is expressed with the two-word phrasal verb.
The proposal includes rollback measures.
The closed form can function attributively in the documented adjective use.
Further guidance
Core difference
Use the documented noun or modifier form when naming a thing, result, person, or concept; use the spaced form when the words function as a verb.
Fast Test
If the expression can take ordinary verb tense or inflection in the sentence, the spaced verb form is usually the relevant choice.
Variant Boundary
Cambridge records closed “rollback” as a noun and adjective and also documents “roll-back” as an adjective variant; the phrasal verb remains “roll back.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- rollback — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Closed rollback noun and adjective, including documented roll-back adjective variant
- roll back something — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Two-word phrasal verb roll back for reducing, reversing, or lowering