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 of role

• purpose
• task
• job
• function
• part

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

In 1945, Nazi Germany signed an unconditional surrender at Allied headquarters in Rheims, France, ending its role in World War II. —Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2026

Most of his reforms seemed to shrink the role of field offices and nationalize operations. —E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 7 May 2026

The company released a whitepaper arguing that advanced propellants could play a major role in sustaining American air superiority. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 May 2026

At Northeast Georgia Medical Center, the three women are nurses in connected roles, caring for mothers and newborns at different stages. —Nancy Badertscher, AJC.com, 6 May 2026

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