Quick Definition · noun
A role is the function or position a person or thing has in a situation, organisation, or relationship. It can describe a job function, someone's contribution to a group, or a character played by an actor.
Etymology of Role
Role comes from the French word rôle, which originally referred to the rolled-up scroll of parchment on which an actor's lines were written. The French word derived from Medieval Latin rotulus, meaning a small roll or wheel — the same root that gives us English words such as roll and rotary. The word entered English in the 17th century with a specifically theatrical meaning before broadening to its modern sense of any function or position a person occupies.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level | Usage note |
|---|---|---|
| She has a big role in the school play. | A2 | theatrical role; simple present |
| He plays an important role in the team. | B1 | play a role collocation |
| Parents play a key role in their children's education. | B1 | key role; general truth |
| The charity took on a central role in coordinating the relief effort. | B2 | take on a role; organisational context |
| The media's role in shaping public opinion has been the subject of considerable academic debate. | C1 | possessive construction; academic register |
Common Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| play a role | Diet plays a role in preventing disease. |
| key role | She played a key role in the negotiations. |
| important role | Teachers play an important role in society. |
| leading role | He was cast in the leading role of the film. |
| supporting role | She won an award for best supporting role. |
| take on a role | She took on the role of project manager last year. |
| central role | Technology plays a central role in modern life. |
| active role | Citizens should take an active role in democracy. |
| role model | Athletes are often seen as role models for young people. |
| dual role | The manager has a dual role as both coach and mentor. |
Usage Notes
How to Use Role Correctly
- Play a role is the most common verb collocation. Use it to describe someone's contribution or function: "Exercise plays a role in mental health." Avoid "do a role" or "make a role".
- Role is nearly always used with a determiner: a role, the role, her role, their roles. Using it without any article is rare and sounds unnatural except in very formal compounds (e.g. "role conflict").
- In formal and academic writing, prefer assume a role or fulfil a role rather than the more informal do a role.
- Role and roll are homophones (/rəʊl/) but have entirely different meanings. Always check your spelling — role refers to a function, while roll covers bread rolls, the act of rolling, or a list of names.
- Role play (noun, two words) and role-play (hyphenated verb) describe acting out scenarios for training or language learning: "The teacher used role play to practise job interviews."
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
She has a big roll in the organisation.
She has a big role in the organisation. (role = function; roll = bread/cylinder/list)
He does a key role in the project.
He plays a key role in the project. (the correct verb collocation is play, not do)
She took a role of team leader.
She took on the role of team leader. (use take on + the role of, not take + a role of)
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Frequently Asked Questions about “role”
What does role mean in English?
Role means the function, position, or part that a person or thing has in a particular situation. For example, 'She plays an important role in the organisation' means she has a significant function or responsibility there. The word can describe job functions, social positions, or characters in a play or film.
What is the difference between role and roll?
Role (noun) refers to a function or part someone plays: 'his role as team leader'. Roll has several meanings: a bread roll, to roll a ball, a drum roll, or a list of names (the electoral roll). They are homophones — both pronounced /rəʊl/ — but they have completely different spellings and meanings.
What does 'play a role' mean?
'Play a role' means to have a function or influence in something: 'Exercise plays a role in mental health.' It can also mean to act a character in a performance. The phrase 'play a key role' or 'play a crucial role' is very common in formal and academic writing to describe significant contributions.
Is role countable or uncountable?
Role is a countable noun. It has a regular plural: roles. You can say 'She has many roles' or 'The different roles in the team'. It is always used with a determiner or possessive: 'a role', 'the role', 'her role', 'their roles'.
What are common collocations with role?
Common collocations include: play a role, key role, important role, leading role, supporting role, active role, central role, dual role, traditional role, and take on a role. In formal writing, 'play a pivotal role' and 'assume a role' are also frequently used.
What is a role model?
A role model is a person whose behaviour or achievements others admire and try to copy. Teachers, parents, and athletes are often described as role models. The compound noun 'role model' is always written as two separate words in British English.
What is the origin of the word role?
Role comes from the French word 'rôle', which originally referred to the rolled-up parchment on which an actor's part was written. This French word derived from Medieval Latin 'rotulus', meaning 'a small wheel' or 'roll'. The word entered English in the 17th century, first in the theatrical sense and later in the broader sense of 'function or position'.
How is role used in psychology and sociology?
In sociology and psychology, 'role' describes the expected behaviour associated with a particular social position, such as a parent, teacher, or employee. 'Role conflict' occurs when a person has two roles that make contradictory demands, and 'role play' is a technique used in therapy and language learning.
What is the difference between role and function?
Role and function overlap in meaning, but role emphasises the position within a social or organisational context ('her role as chairperson'), while function emphasises what something does or its practical purpose ('the function of the liver'). Role is typically used for people; function is more common for things or body parts.
How can I practise using role in English?
Try LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to practise role in context, or use the Flash Cards tool to test vocabulary including role and its related words. You can also search for 'role' in news articles or academic texts to see the full range of collocations it appears in naturally.