Other forms: roles
A role is the part somebody plays in a situation. A key role, play a role, role model.
The theatrical sense came first and everything else is a metaphor from it — role model, role play, gender role all treat behaviour as a part performed. A role model is somebody whose behaviour others copy. Note that the French rôle first meant the roll of paper an actor's part was written on.
1nounroleThe part somebody plays in a situation.
“She played an important role in organising the festival.”
role is a part played.
French role comes from Latin rotulus, a roll — the roll of paper an actor's part was written on. Roll and rotate come from the same wheel.
French
rôle
English, today
role
Borrowed from French rôle. From French rôle, from Middle French rolle, from Old French role, from Medieval Latin rotulus. a doublet of roll and rotulus.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA