role

noun

ˈrōl

variants or less commonly rôle

Synonyms of role next

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

: a part played by an actor or singer

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

played a major role in the negotiations

Example Sentences

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Their bond led her to consult with him when Marvel Studios and Disney offered her the role of Captain Marvel. —

Zack Sharf, Variety, 20 June 2023 Julie Su has been serving in an acting capacity since Marty Walsh stepped down from the role to lead the NHL's players' union in March. —

David Sivak, Washington Examiner, 20 June 2023 Instead, the role is currently being played by a puppeteer, Yang revealed on an episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. —

Vulture, 20 June 2023 And while Peters stayed in character for months to prepare for the role, Burford says Peters made time to work with him on their scenes together. —

Beatrice Verhoeven, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 June 2023 Sudano’s directorial role in Love to Love You, Donna Summer has everything to do with its authenticity. —

Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 20 June 2023 The Wall Street Journal reported on the disclosure earlier Tuesday. Overdeck and Siegel, who are the only members of the firm’s management committee, have failed to agree on defining roles and responsibilities for C-level executives and chief investment officers, according to the filing. —

Hema Parmar, Fortune, 20 June 2023 These patriarchal views of church leadership require the SBC to ignore the broader witness of women’s roles throughout the Bible, as well as several centuries of often egalitarian leadership in the early Christian Church. —

Time, 20 June 2023 According to Journal Times, companies like International Business Machines Corp. have slowed down hiring for roles that canbe done by AI, like human resources. —

Jasmine Browley, Essence, 20 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'role.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French rôle, literally, roll, from Old French rolle

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of role was in 1605

See more words from the same year

Articles Related to role

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Role.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/role. Accessed 9 Jul. 2023.

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Kids Definition

role

noun

variants also rôle

ˈrōl

: a character assigned or taken on

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

: a part played by an actor or singer

a starring role

: 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