role

noun

ˈrōl 

variants or less commonly rôle

1

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

b

: a part played by an actor or singer

2

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

played a major role in the negotiations

Synonyms

• function
• part
• involvement
• participation
• capacity
• purpose
• position
• task

Examples of role in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

The team behind the research noted that many of these genes are tied to developmental delay, which may have played a role in the slower pace of postnatal brain growth in humans compared to chimpanzees. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025

Opened in 1946, the diner was the first in the city to hire African Americans in front-of-house roles during a time when racial tensions were heightened, and its inclusive legacy has lived on. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025

Interpretive trails explain the ecological role of wildflowers and grasses, making this as much an outdoor classroom as a scenic walk. —Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025

Over 35 years after the release of Tim Burton's 1988 horror comedy Beetlejuice, Michael Keaton reprises his iconic role as the titular character in the 2024 sequel. —Emy Lacroix, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French rôle, literally, roll, from Old French rolle

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing role

• have a role to play
• play the role
• role model
• role-play
• role playing game
• speaking part/role
• starring role

Rhymes for role

• boal
• bole
• bowl
• coal
• droll
• foal
• goal
• hole
• knoll
• kol
• mole
• noll

Kids Definition

role

noun

variants also rôle

ˈrōl 

1

a

: a character assigned or taken on

b

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

c

: a part played by an actor or singer

a starring role

2

: 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

Medical Definition

role

noun

variants also rôle

ˈrōl 

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