role

role — noun

1. the expected duties and behaviors that come with a particular position within a

1.nounA2
Definition

the expected duties and behaviors that come with a particular position within a group, system, or situation

Example

The manager asked each team member to explain their role in the project.

possessive: their role in [something]

Parents play an important role in helping children develop good habits.

collocation: play a … role in

Common collocations
  • play a role
  • important / key / vital role
  • leading role
  • role in
  • role of
  • take on a role
  • assume a role
  • change / shift roles
Synonyms
  • position

    more formal, often used in job or hierarchy contexts

  • function

    focuses on what something does rather than its social standing

  • part

    less formal, common in everyday speech; also overlaps with sense 2

  • capacity

    formal; used in official or legal contexts ('in her capacity as chair')

Grammar Patterns

role in [something]

role of [someone/something]

play/have/take on a role

Usage Note

Often paired with play, have, or take on. The prepositions in and of are both common: role in introduces a situation or activity, while role of introduces the person or thing filling the position.

Common Mistakes

She plays an important role on the team.
She plays an important role in the team.
The correct preposition is in, not on.
Everyone has their own roll in the group.
Everyone has their own role in the group.
Role (position) and roll (to turn over) are homophones; do not confuse the spelling.

2. the character that a performer acts out in a movie, play, or television show

2.nounB1
Definition

the character that a performer acts out in a movie, play, or television show

Example

Samir got the lead role in the school play this year.

collocation: lead role

The director asked Evelyn to prepare for the role of a young doctor.

preposition: role of [character]

Common collocations
  • lead / leading role
  • supporting role
  • starring role
  • title role
  • play the role of
  • land / get a role
  • role in a film / play / show
Synonyms
  • part

    interchangeable in most performance contexts; slightly less formal

  • character

    emphasises the fictional person rather than the actor's assignment

  • portrayal

    focuses on the way the actor performs the role

Grammar Patterns

role of [character]

play the role of [character]

lead / supporting role

Usage Note

When naming the specific character an actor plays, the structure is role of [character name], as in role of Hamlet. This sense is distinct from sense 1 in that it refers strictly to performance contexts such as theatre, film, or television.

Common Mistakes

He played the role from Hamlet.
He played the role of Hamlet.
Use of, not from, when naming the character portrayed.
She got a main role in the movie.
She got the lead role in the movie.
The standard expression is lead role, not main role.