Roles: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŽญ
Add to dictionary

roles

 

[ roสŠlz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in a team or organization

Roles are the positions or functions that individuals have in a team or organization. They define the responsibilities and tasks that each person is expected to fulfill.

Synonyms

duties, functions, positions.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
roles

Suitable for describing the general responsibilities or parts someone plays in a group, organization, or situation. It often implies a larger scope with various activities and responsibilities.

  • She has many roles at the company, including manager and trainer
positions

Refers to someone's job or status within an organization or company. It is often used to describe someone's rank or title rather than their specific tasks.

  • She holds the position of Vice President in the company
functions

Typically used in a more technical or formal context to describe the purpose or activities that something or someone is designed to perform. Suitable for machinery, processes, or formal job descriptions.

  • One of the main functions of this device is to filter water
duties

Best used when focusing on specific, often obligatory tasks or assignments that need to be completed. It can have a more formal and somewhat restrictive feeling.

  • His duties include filing reports and attending meetings

Examples of usage

  • Each team member has specific roles to play in the project.
  • Understanding each other's roles is crucial for effective teamwork.
Context #2 | Noun

in a theatrical production

Roles refer to the characters that actors portray in a theatrical production. Each role has its own characteristics, lines, and interactions with other characters.

Synonyms

characters, characters, parts.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
roles

Used to describe the functions or positions someone has in a specific context, like in a play, movie, or within a team or organization.

  • He played many roles in different movies
  • She has multiple roles in the project, including manager and designer
characters

Refers to the fictional people or creatures in a story, play, or movie. It can also mean the qualities or traits of a person.

  • The characters in the novel are very well-developed
  • Her character in the show is very charismatic
parts

Often used interchangeably with roles, but typically means specific segments or divisions in a play, machine, or any whole thing.

  • He rehearsed his part in the play all night
  • The machine is missing a crucial part

Examples of usage

  • She landed the lead role in the play.
  • The actors auditioned for various roles in the movie.
Context #3 | Noun

in psychology

Roles can also refer to the behaviors and expectations associated with a particular social position or status. These roles can influence how individuals interact with others and perceive themselves.

Synonyms

behaviors, expectations, social positions.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
roles

This word is typically used to define specific responsibilities or functions assigned to someone in a particular situation or system, such as in a job, a play, or a family setting.

  • In the workplace, Jane fulfills multiple roles including team leader and project manager
behaviors

This word is used to describe the actions or reactions of an individual or group of individuals, often in response to external or internal stimuli.

  • Children's behaviors can change rapidly depending on their environment and the people around them
expectations

This word is used to describe the beliefs or standards that people hold about what should happen or how someone should act in a given scenario.

  • There are high expectations for students to complete their homework on time
social positions

This phrase is typically used in sociology to describe the status or rank of an individual within a social group or society, which can be influenced by factors like occupation, education, and income.

  • His social position as a community leader earns him a great deal of respect

Examples of usage

  • Gender roles have evolved over time.
  • Social roles can impact our self-esteem and identity.

Translations

Translations of the word "roles" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น papรฉis

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคญเฅ‚เคฎเคฟเค•เคพเคเค

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Rollen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ peran

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั€ะพะปั–

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ role

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅฝนๅ‰ฒ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท rรดles

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ roles

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท roller

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์—ญํ• 

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฃุฏูˆุงุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ role

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ รบlohy

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ง’่‰ฒ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ vloge

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ hlutverk

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั€ำฉะปะดะตั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ แƒแƒšแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ rollar

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ roles

Etymology

The word 'roles' originated from the Old French term 'rolle,' meaning a scroll or a list. It later evolved to refer to the parts or functions that individuals play in various contexts. The concept of roles has been studied extensively in sociology, psychology, and organizational behavior to understand how individuals' positions and responsibilities shape their interactions and behavior within social systems.

See also: role.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,381, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.