Synonyms for

Roles

Verb / rəʊlz / Another word for roles — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

a part or character played by an actor or actress

Synonyms & similar words

part persona role use function theatricalrole purpose office character part character persona function capacity job position duty responsibility task office functioning service employment appointment tasking posting hiring recruitment enlisting

Synonyms by register

Formal

functions capacities responsibilities positions

Informal

parts jobs hats gigs

Literary

characters personae

Antonyms

unimportance insignificance irrelevance nonentity nobody

Common collocations

  • play a role
  • key role
  • leading role
  • supporting role
  • role model
  • role confusion
  • role conflict
  • define roles

Word family

noun role
verb role-play

Usage note

The word 'role' is often used in the context of acting or a specific function within a group or system. Be mindful of using it interchangeably with 'roll', which refers to a cylinder or a list of names.

Example sentences

  1. The teacher played a vital role in helping the students learn.
  2. The doctor's role is to take care of sick patients.
  3. In the movie, Tom Hanks played the role of a ship captain.
  4. My role in the group project was to create the presentation.
  5. The company offered her a new role with more responsibilities.

Quotes

  • 'Acting provides the fulfillment of never being fulfilled. You're never as good as you'd like to be. So there's always something to hope for.' - Washington Irving
  • 'The best thing about acting is that I get to lose myself in another character and actually get paid for it... It's a great outlet. I'm not really sure who I am - it seems I change every day.' - Leonardo DiCaprio
  • 'To be, or not to be: that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, And by opposing end them?' - William Shakespeare

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