role

noun

ˈrōl 

variants or less commonly rôle

1

a(1)

: a character assigned or assumed

had to take on the role of both father and mother

(2)

: a socially expected behavior pattern usually determined by an individual's status in a particular society

b

: a part played by an actor or singer

2

: a function or part performed especially in a particular operation or process

played a major role in the negotiations

Synonyms

• business
• capacity
• function
• job
• part
• place
• position
• purpose
• task
• work

Examples of role in a Sentence

He plays the role of the villain.

She was given the starring role.

I had a minor role in the play.

After her husband left her, she had to take on the dual role of mother and father for her children.

She likes to play the role of matchmaker with her friends.

She challenged the traditional roles assigned to women.

We'll switch roles this time, and you can wash the dishes while I dry them.

It was a case of role reversal: the father stayed home with the children while the mother worked.

Recent Examples on the Web

Universal Experiences chief Mark Woodbury; NBCU chief diversity officer Craig Robinson; and general counsel Kim Harris will continue in their current roles. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024

The movie musical, starring Erivo and Ariana Grande in lead roles, is based on the stage musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman – which was based on the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024

When Vance leaves that role to become vice president, Gov. Mike DeWine will pick another Republican to replace him until a special election is held in November 2026, the Enquirer reported. —Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 20 Nov. 2024

Players take on the role of Skif, who becomes a stalker after his home in Ukraine is destroyed by a rogue anomaly. —Issy Van Der Velde, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French rôle, literally, roll, from Old French rolle

First Known Use

1605, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing role

• have a role to play
• play the role
• role model
• role-play
• role playing game
• speaking part/role
• starring role

Kids Definition

role

noun

variants also rôle

ˈrōl 

1

a

: a character assigned or taken on

b

: a socially expected behavior pattern usually determined by an individual's status in a particular society

c

: a part played by an actor or singer

a starring role

2

: function entry 1 sense 2a

the role of enzymes in digestion

Etymology

from French rôle "part played by an actor," literally "scroll"; so called because before the use of books, the actor's parts were written on scrolls

Medical Definition

role

noun

variants also rôle

ˈrōl 

: a socially prescribed pattern of behavior usually determined by an individual's status in a particular society