View synonyms for role

role

[ rohl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a part or character played by an actor or actress.
proper or customary function:
the role of religion in society.
Synonyms: capacity, part, character, duty, responsibility, position, function
the function assumed by a person or thing in a given action or process:
Schools offer few practical tools to help students explore their role in shaping the future.
Sociology. the rights, obligations, and expected behavior patterns associated with a particular social status:
When studying child development, it was critical to study the father's role.

role

/ rəʊl /

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 function
what is his role in the organization?

Origin of role¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from French rôle “roll (of paper containing the actor's part)”; roll

Origin of role¹

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

He knew his control was not equal to the task; he would betray himself; the rôle was too exacting.

General Neill, who came later and assumed the rôle of magistrate, showed neither pity nor mercy.

In the Dutch Walewein alone, so far as I know, is his rôle definitely that of the deliverer.

When the raindrops coalesce on the surface of the earth, the rôle of what we may call land water begins.

Somehow or other the maternal rôle, which had been so suddenly thrown upon Georgina, had become not ungrateful to her.

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