role

or rôle

[ rohl ]

/ roʊl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR role ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a part or character played by an actor or actress.

proper or customary function: the teacher's role in society.

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

Nearby words

roland, rolandic epilepsy, rolando's area, rolando's fissure, rolando's gelatinous substance, role, role conflict, role model, role set, role strain, role-play

Origin of role

1600–10; < French rôle roll (as of paper) containing the actor's part

SYNONYMS FOR role

2 capacity, position, responsibility, duty.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR role ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

mul·ti·role, adjective

Can be confused

role roll

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for role

Genetics alone does not an eating disorder make, generally speaking, and Bulik points out that environment still plays a role.
How Skinny Is Too Skinny? Israel Bans ‘Underweight’ Models|Carrie Arnold|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“I have to think her body type played a role,” said Rachel Greenblatt, a Lecturer in Jewish Studies at Harvard University.
Why Was Bess Myerson the First and Last Jewish Miss America?|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Acting legend talks about what role is closest to her heart.
Gena Rowlands on Her Favorite ‘Woman’|The Daily Beast Video|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
David Prowse, the actor who portrayed Darth Vader, wished to come back but had to turn down the role because of ill health.
Juiciest ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Rumors (and Some Debunked Ones)|Rich Goldstein|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST

The role of private investigators has stirred controversy in the investigation.
U.S. Spies Say They Tracked ‘Sony Hackers’ For Years|Shane Harris|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The one role in life in which I fancied you ill at ease you seem to fill to perfection.
The Yellow Crayon|E. Phillips Oppenheim
He was showing signs of being about to step out of the role she had assigned to him and attempt something on a larger scale.
The Man Upstairs|P. G. Wodehouse
Her role is that of child-killer—any child who is suckled in the night by Putana instantly dying.
The Loves of Krishna in Indian Painting and Poetry|W. G. Archer
I smiled at him affectionately before resuming my role as Santa Claus.
Autobiography of a YOGI|Paramhansa Yogananda
The legend of Savage Island places Maui in the role of fire-maker.
Legends of Ma-ui--a demi god of Polynesia, and of his mother Hina|W. D. Westervelt

British Dictionary definitions for role

role

rle

/ (rəʊl) /

noun

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

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

usual or customary functionwhat is his role in the organization?

Word Origin for role

C17: from French rôle roll, an actor's script

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for role

role

n.

The characteristic and expected social behavior of an individual.