play the role

idiom

: to act the part of (a particular character) in a film, play, etc.

He often plays the role of the villain.

—often used figuratively

He was playing the role of (the) gracious host.

Examples of play the role in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Megan Thee Stallion will be the first female-identifying performer to play the role. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026

But actually, Oprah couldn’t make it, and in one of those show-must-go-on switcheroos, Mikel stepped up to play the role in Oprah’s place. —Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 18 Feb. 2026

This was possible thanks to an ability all his own to play the role of leader in a performative way. —Literary Hub, 17 Feb. 2026

Building influence In March 2017, Epstein continued to play the role of networker for Barrack, suggesting separately that Bill Gates and the Indian billionaire Amil Ambani meet with Barrack. —Daniel Ruetenik, CBS News, 14 Feb. 2026

Rhymes for play the role

• amphibole
• asystole
• buttonhole
• casserole
• centriole
• decontrol
• glycerol
• metropole
• monopole
• multipole
• omeprazole
• oriole