role
Pluralroles
Often confused with roll
- 1The job or part that something has inside a bigger system or process.
Like the job each part of a machine does to make the whole thing work.
Vitamins play an important role in keeping us healthy.
Money has a big role in how people make choices.
UsageWe say something plays a big or important role in something.
- 2A character that an actor plays in a movie, show, or play.
Like pretending to be someone else in a game of make-believe.
She landed the lead role in the school play.
He has played many roles on television over the years.
UsageAn actor plays a role. The biggest part is the lead role.
- 3A named position that comes with certain duties, skills, or rights.
Like a job title that tells everyone what you are allowed to do.
She moved into the role of team leader last spring.
She was given the role of project leader last month.
UsageSay the team leader role or the role of team leader.
Similarposition, post, job, capacity
Note
- 4The way a person is expected to act because of their place in a group.
Like the part each player has on a sports team.
As the oldest child, she took on the role of helper at home.
Many people today question old ideas about the roles of men and women.
UsageWe say someone's role as a parent, a leader, and so on.
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of role apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
It comes from French rôle, which goes back through Old French to the Medieval Latin word rotulus.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- English role comes from French rôle. en.wiktionary.org
- French rôle goes back through Old French to Medieval Latin rotulus. en.wiktionary.org