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Synonyms

title role

American  

noun

  1. (in a play, opera, etc.) the role or character from which the title is derived.

    She sang the title role in Carmen.


title role British  

noun

  1. the role of the character after whom a play, etc, is named

"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

Etymology

Origin of title role

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Karen Chia-ling Ho brought a big sound and sincerity to the title role.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 10, 2026

In 1973, the theater cast me in the title role of “The Little Prince.”

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 28, 2026

He played the title role in 1998's fantasy adventure TV series Merlin and its 2006 follow-up.

From BBC Jul. 13, 2026

Barnard plays the title role in the new film, which premiered at the festival and will be released later this year.

From BBC Jun. 25, 2026

We were supposed to be doing Peter Pan for the winter musical, and I was basically dying to play the title role, but it was canceled too.

From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle

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