Role Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
ðŸŽ
role
[rəʊl ]
Definitions
in a job or function
A role is a function or part played by someone or something in a particular situation.
Synonyms
duty, function, responsibility.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| role |
Used to emphasize the importance or specific part someone plays in a broader context.
|
| function |
Describes the purpose or activity for which a person or thing is specifically suited or used. Often used in technical or formal contexts.
|
| duty |
Refers to tasks or obligations required to be performed, often because of a moral, legal, or official reason.
|
| responsibility |
Indicates a duty or task expected to be carried out, often implying accountability and trust.
|
Examples of usage
- She has a key role in the company's marketing department.
- As a manager, his role is to oversee the team and ensure productivity.
character in a play or movie
A role is also a character played by an actor in a movie, play, or television show.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| role |
This word is typically used when referring to a specific function or duty someone has in an organization, project, or production such as a movie or play. It’s often used in professional and formal contexts.
|
| character |
This is mostly used to describe a fictional person in a book, movie, play, or story. It can also refer to someone's personality traits.
|
| part |
This word is often used interchangeably with 'role' when referring to acting, but can also be used more broadly to indicate a component or segment of something larger.
|
| persona |
This term generally refers to the aspect of someone's character that is presented to or perceived by others. It can also mean a role or character adopted by someone, especially an actor. It can sometimes carry a connotation of artificiality or pretense.
|
Examples of usage
- She got the lead role in the upcoming film.
- His role as the villain was well-received by the audience.
to act in a specific way
As a verb, role means to act in a specific way or function in a particular situation.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| role |
Used to describe a position or responsibility that someone has in a particular situation or in an organization.
|
| act |
Used to refer to a specific action or behavior, particularly in a performance or an instance of doing something.
|
| function |
Used to discuss the purpose or duty that something is designed to perform or the way in which it operates.
|
| perform |
Used to describe carrying out an action, task, or piece of work. Often used in artistic or professional contexts.
|
Examples of usage
- She roles as a mentor to new employees.
- He roles as a mediator in conflicts within the team.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Theatre
- In theatre, a role is the character an actor portrays, whose personality and actions are shaped by the script.
- Actors often undergo 'role preparation' to adapt to their character's emotional and physical traits.
Social Sciences
- In sociology, a role is defined by the social expectations and behaviors that accompany a particular position in society.
- Roles can change based on context; for instance, someone may be a parent at home and a manager at work.
Psychology
- The 'role theory' suggests that individuals act based on the roles they have adopted in social contexts, influencing their behaviors.
- Gender roles are societal norms dictating how individuals should behave, which can shift over time due to cultural changes.
Pop Culture
- In films and TV series, iconic roles can define actors' careers, such as Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal of Iron Man.
- Video games often allow players to choose specific roles or classes, influencing gameplay and strategies.
Origin of 'role'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'rolla,' meaning a scroll or a roll of paper, which contains a list of names or roles.
- In 16th-century France, actors used to be given a role by assigning them a part to play, written on a scroll.
The word 'role' originated from the French word 'role', which means a part played by a person in a specific situation. It has been used in English since the 17th century. The concept of roles has been essential in various fields such as theater, sociology, and psychology, highlighting the importance of functions and characters in different contexts.
See also: roles.