Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A character or part played by a performer.
  • noun The characteristic and expected social behavior of an individual.
  • noun A function or position. synonym: function.
  • noun Linguistics The function of a word or construction, as in a sentence.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A character or part played by a performer or actor.
  • noun The expected behaviour of an individual in a society.
  • noun The function or position of something.
  • noun grammar : The function of a word in a phrase.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[French rôle, from Old French rolle, roll of parchment (on which an actor's part was written), from Latin rotula, diminutive of rota, wheel; see roll.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From French rôle.

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Examples

  • Although he is yet to find an €œauthor-backed role€ and dislikes having to audition after proving himself, Tanay is lucky for having retained a foothold in Bollywood by playing the young Shah Rukh in Karan Johar€ ™ s My Name Is Khan. €œHe had auditioned for the role much before Slumdog but Karan Johar insisted he wanted him after Slumdog€ ™ s success, € says Tejal, who will not hire a professional manager lest he overbook her son.

    The Times of India 2010

  • Although he is yet to find an €œauthor-backed role€ and dislikes having to audition after proving himself, Tanay is lucky for having retained a foothold in Bollywood by playing the young Shah Rukh in Karan Johar€ ™ s My Name Is Khan. €œHe had auditioned for the role much before Slumdog but Karan Johar insisted he wanted him after Slumdog€ ™ s success, € says Tejal, who will not hire a professional manager lest he overbook her son.

    The Times of India 2010

  • Although he is yet to find an €œauthor-backed role€ and dislikes having to audition after proving himself, Tanay is lucky for having retained a foothold in Bollywood by playing the young Shah Rukh in Karan Johar€ ™ s My Name Is Khan. €œHe had auditioned for the role much before Slumdog but Karan Johar insisted he wanted him after Slumdog€ ™ s success, € says Tejal, who will not hire a professional manager lest he overbook her son.

    The Times of India 2010

  • The term role model is grossly, grossly overused these days.

    Alyson Renaldo: Model Your Role Alyson Renaldo 2011

  • The term role model is grossly, grossly overused these days.

    Alyson Renaldo: Model Your Role Alyson Renaldo 2011

  • The term role model is grossly, grossly overused these days.

    Alyson Renaldo: Model Your Role Alyson Renaldo 2011

  • Recently available from the Criterion Collection, it stars Robert Mitchum in the title role, meaning that he's not a hero, not even an anti-hero, just a victim of circumstance.

    Slate Magazine Troy Patterson 2010

  • Recently available from the Criterion Collection, it stars Robert Mitchum in the title role, meaning that he's not a hero, not even an anti-hero, just a victim of circumstance.

    Slate Magazine Troy Patterson 2010

  • Anita uses what little knowledge she can access in order to survive Alejandra Manzo gives a breakout performance in the title role, mostly just by being herself.

    George Heymont: Three Unforgettable Characters George Heymont 2011

  • Anita uses what little knowledge she can access in order to survive Alejandra Manzo gives a breakout performance in the title role, mostly just by being herself.

    George Heymont: Three Unforgettable Characters George Heymont 2011

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