role

American  

[rohl] / roʊl /

Rarely rôle

noun

• roles
  plural

1. 

   a part or character played by an actor or actress.

2. proper or customary function.

   the role of religion in society.

   Synonyms:

   duty, responsibility, position, function, capacity, part, character

3. the function assumed by a person or thing in a given action or process.

   Schools offer few practical tools to help students explore their role in shaping the future.

4. Sociology. the rights, obligations, and expected behavior patterns associated with a particular social status.

   When studying child development, it was critical to study the father's role.

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role British  

/ rəʊl /

noun

1. a part or character in a play, film, etc, to be played by an actor or actress

2. psychol the part played by a person in a particular social setting, influenced by his expectation of what is appropriate

3. usual or customary function

   what is his role in the organization?

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• multirole
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• roles
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of role

First recorded in 1600–10; from French rôle “roll (of paper containing the actor's part)”; see roll

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Explanation

A role is a part you play. In school, you might take on the role of clown, in your family, the role of the responsible one, on stage, the role of Juliet. Role can also mean job or function. It is the role of the police to keep the community safe, and political parties often argue about the role government should play in our lives. Roles can also be played by things. You can say that computers play an increasing role in our day-to-day lives and that the role of a hat is to keep your head warm. You look up to your role model because of the important role that they play in influencing others' lives.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

role roles

Silver can be seen as hybrid leading indicator because of its dual role as a monetary precious metal and an industrial commodity.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 17, 2026

So goes the criteria for a role working as chief of staff to Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures, the renowned venture firm that’s backed companies including OpenAI, Stripe and DoorDash.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026

Quentin Grimes, who had started the first four preseason games and had been solid in his role, was not among them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026

Financial supporters play no role in our journalism.

From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026

There was a natural role for a blue-chip corporation with the highest credit rating to stand in the middle of swaps and long-term options and the other risk-spawning innovations.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

She is beautiful and desirable, but her sexuality isn’t the defining characteristic of her existence — something we don’t see enough when it comes to Latina roles.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026

Beyaz compares PPARD's opposing roles to "the force" in Star Wars.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 16, 2026

France's points-based assignment system gives more experienced teachers greater choice over where they work, leaving "less experienced" educators more likely to be posted to "the most challenging roles", he said.

From Barron's ● Oct. 16, 2026

Foreign employees may work at law firms in other roles.

From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026

In the 1960s, the roles would be reversed.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

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Related Words

• act
• appearance
• aspect
• character
• part
• performance
• portrayal

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