role

[ rohl ]
See synonyms for: roleroles on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. a part or character played by an actor or actress.

  2. proper or customary function: the role of religion in society.

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

Origin of role

1
First recorded in 1600–10; from French rôle “roll (of paper containing the actor's part)”; see roll
  • Rarely rôle .

Other words for role

Other words from role

  • mul·ti·role, adjective

Words that may be confused with role

Words Nearby role

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use role in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for role

role

rle

/ (rəʊl) /


noun
  1. a part or character in a play, film, etc, to be played by an actor or actress

  2. psychol the part played by a person in a particular social setting, influenced by his expectation of what is appropriate

  1. usual or customary function: what is his role in the organization?

Origin of role

1
C17: from French rôle roll, an actor's script

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