role
role
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "role" is /roʊl/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
role:
/r/ - voiced alveolar approximant
/oʊ/ - diphthong, as in "boat"
/l/ - voiced alveolar lateral approximant
Word Form Variations
Singular: role
Plural: roles
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: The function or position that someone has or is expected to have in an organization, a society, or in a particular situation.
Synonyms: function, part, position, capacity, duty, responsibility
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; concepts like "irrelevance" or "non-participation" might be considered opposite in context but not true antonyms for the word "role" itself.)
Definition 2: The part played by an actor or actress in a play, film, or television production.
Synonyms: part, character, portrayal, performance
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; concepts like "audience" or "spectator" are outside the scope of "role" in this context.)
Definition 3: The particular purpose or capacity for which something is used.
Synonyms: purpose, use, function, application, utility
Antonyms: irrelevance, uselessness, inapplicability
Examples of Use
Books: "In Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Yuval Noah Harari explores the crucial role of shared fictions and collective myths in the development of human societies."
Newspapers: "The article highlighted the significant role that local communities play in preserving indigenous languages and traditions." (The Guardian)
Online Publications: "Scientists are investigating the potential role of microplastics in ocean ecosystems, examining their impact on marine life." (National Geographic online)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Emma Stone's captivating role as Bella Baxter in Poor Things earned her widespread critical acclaim." (Film review)
Television Series: "Throughout the series, the detective's moral compass plays a pivotal role in the unfolding of the intricate plot." (Discussion on True Detective, Season 4)
Video Game: "Players can choose from several character classes, each with a distinct role in team-based combat, from damage dealer to support." (Gaming forum discussion)
Music: "The bass guitar often takes on a foundational role in funk music, providing a strong rhythmic and harmonic anchor."
General Public Discourse: "During the town hall meeting, citizens debated the role of government in addressing local infrastructure challenges."
10 Quotes Using Role
"Masculine and feminine roles are not biologically fixed but socially constructed." - Judith Butler
"Our stories come from our lives and from the playwright's pen, the mind of the actor, the roles we create, the artistry of life itself and the quest for peace." - Maya Angelou
"Your life is like a play with several acts. Some of the characters who enter have short roles to play, others, much larger." - Wayne Dyer
"One of the roles of the Presidency is to lead a political party." - John C. Maxwell
"Context and memory play powerful roles in all the truly great meals in one's life." - Anthony Bourdain
"Let's be very clear: Strong men - men who are truly role models - don't need to put down women to make themselves feel powerful." - Michelle Obama
"In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger." - John F. Kennedy
"The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are. You trade in your reality for a role." - Jim Morrison
"My role in society, or any artist's or poet's role, is to try and express what we all feel." - John Lennon
"If there aren't roles you want to play, then you've kind of got to create them." - Margot Robbie
Etymology
The word "role" comes from the French word "rôle", which literally meant a "roll" of paper.
Imagine back in the day, before printed scripts were common, an actor's lines for a play were written out on a long piece of parchment or paper that was rolled up. This "roll" contained their specific "part" or "character" in the play.
So, the first known use of "role" in English, around the early 1600s (specifically 1606), carried this original meaning: the "part" or "character" an actor plays on stage.
Over time, its meaning expanded beyond just acting to refer to any function or position a person (or even a thing) has in life, society, or a particular situation.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Role
Play a role: To have a function or influence in something.
Take on a role: To assume a particular position or responsibility.
A starring role: The most important part in a play, film, or situation.
A supporting role: A less important part, but still contributing significantly.
Role model: A person whose behavior, example, or success is emulated by others.
Role reversal: A situation in which two people have exchanged their usual duties or positions.
To have a big role to play: To have an important part in future events or developments.
To step into a role: To begin to perform a particular job or function.
To fulfill one's role: To carry out one's expected duties or function.
To be in a pivotal role: To be in a crucial or central position.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of role from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
