role definition - Dictionary

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	roll bar

	roll cage

	roll call

	roll down

	roll film

	roll forward

	roll in

	roll of honour

	roll off

	roll on

	roll-on

	roll-on roll-off

	roll out

	roll over

	roll-to-revert

	roll-top desk

	roll up

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role

role [ rōl ] (plural roles) or rôle [ rōl ] (plural rôles)

noun

Definition:

1. acting part: an individual part in a play, movie, opera, or other performance

2. specific function: the usual or expected function of somebody or something, or the part somebody or something plays in an action or event

3. part played in social context: the part played by somebody in a given social context, with any characteristic or expected pattern of behavior that it entails

[Early 17th century. < French rôle "(paper) roll on which an actor's part is written" < Old French rol(l)e (see roll)]

Spelling Note


	role or roll? Do not confuse the spelling of role and roll, which sound similar. Role is a noun denoting a part played by somebody or something: She has a leading role in the movie. What was the role of the president in this affair?Teachers are role models for their students. We engaged in role-playing exercises. Roll is a noun or verb referring to a round shape or movement (as in roll into a ball, roll down the hill, a roll of film) or an official list (as in call the roll, on the electoral roll).