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role

Syllabification: (role)

Pronunciation: /rōl/

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Definition of role

noun

an actor’s part in a play, movie, etc.:Dietrich’s role as a wife in war-torn Paris
the function assumed or part played by a person or thing in a particular situation:she greeted us all in her various roles of mother, friend, and daughter religion plays a vital role in society

Origin:

early 17th century: from obsolete French roule 'roll', referring originally to the roll of paper on which the actor's part was written

Do not confuse role with roll. Role means 'a part played by an actor' (he was known for TV roles), whereas roll mainly means 'move by turning over and over' or 'a rolling movement' (a roll of the dice).

role in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of role in the British & World English dictionary

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