role

role

noun \ˈrōl\

Definition of ROLE

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>

Variants of ROLE

role also rôle \ˈrōl\

Examples of ROLE

1. He plays the role of the villain.
2. She was given the starring role.
3. I had a minor role in the play.
4. After her husband left her, she had to take on the dual role of mother and father for her children.
5. She likes to play the role of matchmaker with her friends.
6. She challenged the traditional roles assigned to women.
7. We'll switch roles this time, and you can wash the dishes while I dry them.
8. It was a case of role reversal: the father stayed home with the children while the mother worked.

Origin of ROLE

French rôle, literally, roll, from Old French rolle

First Known Use: 1605

Related to ROLE

Synonyms: business, capacity, function, job, part, place, position, purpose, task, work

Related Words: affair, concern, hand, involvement, participation; niche, office, post, situation; calling, occupation, pursuit, vocation; activity, assignment, charge, commission, duty, employ, mission, responsibility, service, use

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Rhymes with ROLE

bole, boll, bowl, coal, cole, Cole, dhole, dole, droll, foal, goal, hole, knoll, kohl, Kohl, mole, ole, pole, poll, prole, roll, scroll, Seoul, shoal, skoal, sol, sole, soul, stole, stroll, thole, tole, toll, troll, vole, whole