What is role? Pronunciation and usage in English

role means . Learn how to pronounce and use role through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of role

rolenoun

/rəʊl/
Definition & pronunciation of role

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "role" in English. There are a couple of common pronunciations, and it depends slightly on where you are in the US and Canada:

1. The Most Common American Pronunciation:

  • Sounds like: "row-l" (rhymes with "cow")
    • "row" - Like the word "row" as in rowing a boat. It’s a short, crisp vowel sound.
    • "l" - A simple, clear "l" sound.

2. The Canadian Pronunciation:

  • Sounds like: "rohl" (rhymes with "hole")
    • "rohl" - The “r” sound is a bit more blended with the "o". It's a bit softer and more "rolled" like the "r" in "roll."

Here's a breakdown of the sounds to help you:

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("row").
  • Vowel: The "o" is a short "o" sound, like in "hot" or "pot."

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you located (generally)? (e.g., United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia)

Usage and examples with the word role in English

Let's break down how to use the word "role" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Role as a Part or Function (Most Common)

  • Definition: This is the most frequent use. It refers to a specific function, job, or part someone or something plays in a situation, system, or group.
  • Examples:
    • "The role of a teacher is to educate students." (Function)
    • "The main role of the battery is to provide power." (Part)
    • "In the play, the villain has a dark and dangerous role." (Part)
    • "His role in the team is to be a reliable defender." (Function)
    • “The government’s role is to protect its citizens.” (Function/Duty)

2. Role as a Part in a Performance (Theatrical/Dramatic)

  • Definition: Specifically in theater, film, or television, “role” refers to the character a person portrays.
  • Examples:
    • "She played the role of Queen Elizabeth in the historical drama."
    • "He’s known for his ability to convincingly portray difficult roles.”
    • "The casting director is looking for someone who can embody the role perfectly."

3. Role as a Position or Status (Social/Relational)

  • Definition: This refers to a person’s position or status within a group, family, or society. It’s about what expectations and responsibilities come with that position.
  • Examples:
    • "As the eldest son, he has a significant role to play in the family." (Responsibility, influence)
    • "Women have traditionally had a supportive role in society." (Expectation – note this usage can be debated and considered outdated)
    • "He took on a new role as a mentor to younger colleagues." (Position of guidance)
    • “In a marriage, each partner has a crucial role.” (Position of importance)

4. Role as a Part in a Process or System (Abstract)

  • Definition: This is a more abstract use. It refers to the part something plays in the workings of a system or process.
  • Examples:
    • "The internet plays a vital role in global communication." (Importance in a system)
    • "Water's role in photosynthesis is essential for plant life." (Function in a biological process)
    • "Research and development plays a crucial role in technological advancement."

5. (Less Common) Role as a Bet or Staking - (Gambling)

  • Definition: In gambling, “role” can refer to the stakes or the amount of money at risk.
  • Example: “He was playing with a significant role in the poker game.” (Bet)

Tips for Using "Role" Correctly:

  • Context is key: The meaning of "role" is almost always determined by the surrounding words and the situation.
  • Synonyms: Consider using synonyms like function, part, duty, position, or responsibility to clarify if the precise nuance of "role" isn't immediately apparent.
  • Avoid redundancy: Sometimes, using “role” can be slightly redundant. For example, "the role of a teacher" might often simply be "the job of a teacher."

Could you give me an example sentence you'd like me to analyze or a situation where you're unsure how to use "role"? That will help me give you a more tailored explanation.

Synonyms for the word role

Practice with vocabulary role

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. In modern healthcare, technology plays an increasingly pivotal ________ in diagnostics and treatment.
  2. Her primary ________ within the marketing department is to manage client relationships and strategic partnerships.
  3. The company's social ________ is to contribute positively to community development and environmental sustainability.
  4. Delegating ________ effectively is key to efficient project management and team productivity.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which word best describes the specific function or part played by someone in an organization or process? a) task b) duty c) role d) chore

  2. After the promotion, she decided to fully embrace her new ____ as a team leader. a) post b) role c) function d) capacity

  3. Effective communication plays a crucial ____ in successful team collaboration. a) aspect b) influence c) role d) factor

  4. Among his many ____, preparing monthly financial reports is the most time-consuming. a) roles b) responsibilities c) duties d) functions

  5. The main ____ of the new security protocol is to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. a) goal b) purpose c) role d) function

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The government has an important part in regulating financial markets. (Rewrite using "role")

  2. Her primary job in the project is to manage the budget and allocate resources. (Rewrite using "role")

  3. During the crisis, the volunteers made significant contributions to relief efforts. (Rewrite without using "role")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. role
  2. role
  3. responsibility
  4. responsibilities

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) role
  2. a) post, b) role, d) capacity
  3. c) role, d) factor
  4. b) responsibilities, c) duties
  5. a) goal, b) purpose, d) function

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The government plays an important role in regulating financial markets.
  2. Her primary role in the project is to manage the budget and allocate resources.
  3. During the crisis, the volunteers' significant contributions aided relief efforts.

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