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Definition of 'role'

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role

(roʊl )
Word forms: roles
1. countable noun
If you have a role in a situation or in society, you have a particular position and function in it.
Until now scientists had very little clear evidence about the drug's role in preventing more serious effects of infection.
2. countable noun
A role is one of the characters that an actor or singer can play in a movie, play, or opera.
She has just landed the lead role in their latest production.
More Synonyms of role
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

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role

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role in American English

(roʊl )
noun
1. 
a part, or character, that an actor plays in a performance
2. 
a function or office assumed by someone
an advisory role
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin
Fr rôle, lit., a roll: from roll containing actor's part
Word Frequency

role in American English

(roul)
noun
1. 
a part or character played by an actor or actress
2. 
proper or customary function
the teacher's role in society
3. Sociology
the rights, obligations, and expected behavior patterns associated with a particular social status
Also: rôle
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019 by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word origin
[1600–10; ‹ F rôle roll (as of paper) containing the actor's part]
Word Frequency

role in British English

or rôle (rəʊl )
noun
1. 
a part or character in a play, film, etc, to be played by an actor or actress
2.  psychology
the part played by a person in a particular social setting, influenced by his or her expectation of what is appropriate
3. 
usual or customary function
what is her role in the organization?
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
C17: from French rôle roll, an actor's script

Examples of 'role' in a sentence
role

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
We should confidently promote them and the role they play.
The Sun (2016)
His varied career is mainly defined by character roles.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Yet it is his role as part of that attacking unit that is crucial.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
The issue of integration will play a huge role in that.
The Sun (2016)
Gender roles are definitely part of the problem.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Rugby union is one gigantic chain with one man's role integral to another.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was a free role, but one which meant he would become the hardest working player in the team.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
And he will play the lead role again, though he doesn't know when.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I was only meant to be on it for 15 minutes, and the role just grew and grew.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Tourism has played a major role in helping countries affected by war.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Your role is just to walk through.
The Sun (2012)
In films she specialised in supporting roles and character parts.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Each of us has a specific role that no one can replace.
Christianity Today (2000)
The team talks are part of my role.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
She continued to appear in supporting roles in important studio films and starring roles in smaller movies.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But there were to be other older actors playing key roles.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You can think clearly about work and plans you make today play a lucky role in your future.
The Sun (2008)
You tell me one glamorous role that is in a good movie you have seen in the last ten years.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Played a leading role in the discovery of the Antarctic ozone hole.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
My role is just to be there, to comfort him and hopefully make him smile.
The Sun (2015)
An enthusiastic and accomplished actor, he took lead roles in many of their productions.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
No one person has taken on mum's role or character.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It's just that our role and focus have changed.
Lindenfield, Gael 50 Ways to Become a Self-Confident Woman (1989)
He had fulfilled his own executioner's role.
Max Hastings Nemesis: The Battle for Japan, 194445 (2007)
I saw an early screening of her first leading role and thought she was brilliant.
The Sun (2015)
I do tend to get cast in roles where the characters are pretty rough and very damaged.
The Sun (2016)
The whole point of the man is running around - it's a role for an actor.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
And indeed he hadn't: at least six actors took his role.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)

Related word partners
role
 

big role
combat role
critical role
defensive role
defined role
dominant role
film role
fulfil a role
important role
influential role
major role
minor role
movie role
pivotal role
role in society
screen role
secondary role
significant role
strengthen the role of
traditional role
unique role
vital role

Trends of
role

View usage over:

In other languages
role

British English: role /rəʊl/ NOUN
The role of someone or something in a situation is their job or position in it.
Parents need to be clear about their role in raising their children.
  • American English: role /ˈroʊl/
  • Arabic: دَوْر
  • Brazilian Portuguese: função
  • Chinese: 角色
  • Croatian: uloga
  • Czech: úloha
  • Danish: rolle
  • Dutch: rol functie, toneel
  • European Spanish: papel rol
  • Finnish: rooli
  • French: rôle
  • German: Rolle Aufgabe
  • Greek: ρόλος
  • Italian: ruolo
  • Japanese: 役割
  • Korean: 역할
  • Norwegian: rolle
  • Polish: rola teatr
  • European Portuguese: função
  • Romanian: rol
  • Russian: роль
  • Spanish: papel
  • Swedish: roll
  • Thai: บทบาทหน้าที่
  • Turkish: rol
  • Ukrainian: роль
  • Vietnamese: vai trò

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Browse alphabetically
role

  • rolag
  • rolamite
  • Roland
  • role
  • role conflict
  • role in society
  • role model

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'R'

Related terms of
role

  • big role
  • dual role
  • film role
  • key role
  • lead role

  • View more related words

Source

Definition of role from the Collins English Dictionary
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Nov 21, 2021
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aubade
a song or poem appropriate to or greeting the dawn
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