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“Role” or “Roll”

role / roll are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term.

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Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

role r·OW·l

  • nounnormal or customary activity of a person in a particular social setting.

roll r·OW·l

  • nouna list of names.
  • nounphotographic film rolled up inside a container to protect it from light.
  • nounanything rolled up in cylindrical form.
  • nounwalking with a swaying gait.
  • nouna flight maneuver; aircraft rotates about its longitudinal axis without changing direction or losing altitude.
  • nounthe act of rolling something (as the ball in bowling).
  • verbmove by turning over or rotating.
  • verboccur in soft rounded shapes.
  • verbemit, produce, or utter with a deep prolonged reverberating sound.
  • verbbegin operating or running.
  • verbshape by rolling.
  • verbexecute a roll, in tumbling.
  • verbmove in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion.
  • verbmove about aimlessly or without any destination, often in search of food or employment.
  • verbmove, rock, or sway from side to side.
  • verbcause to move by turning over or in a circular manner of as if on an axis.
  • verbpronounce with a roll, of the phoneme /r/.
  • verbtake the shape of a roll or cylinder.
  • verbshow certain properties when being rolled.
Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“role”

  • …Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Leonardo DiCaprio).
  • …Best Supporting Actor for his role as "Sammy Goldenbaum".
  • …later declined to play the role, saying a younger actor should…
  • …an exploitation of the parental role and I think it’s wrong”.
  • …reprising his Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger role as Senichi Enari/Deka Green, and…
  • In spite of her role, she has a ditzy personality,…
  • …stepped back into an administrative role as director of player personnel…
  • reprises his role as the voice of Space
  • …"humility and tenderness" to the role.
  • …Oran, he sang the title role of Faust.

“roll”

  • …found his roast beef sandwich roll to be too hard.
  • …hit "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me".
  • …pop, R&B, rock, rock 'n roll and contemporary releases featuring both…
  • …Chicago blues, early rock and roll, rockabilly, and 1960s blues rock.
  • …records were "essentially rock ‘n’ roll songs before the concept of…
  • …hamburger bun is a bread roll sliced horizontally containing a hamburger,…
  • Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll
  • …the Long Island Rock & Roll Band known as The Ravens,…
  • …Oasis is not discussed and "Roll with It" is not featured.
  • …queer make me a sushi roll and cook me some rice."

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions are drawn from WordNet.

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