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play a role — to have an important function or influence in a particular situation or process

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: to have an important function or influence in a particular situation or process

Pronunciation (IPA): /pleɪ ə roʊl/

Example Sentences

  • My grandmother plays a vital role in our family - she's basically our personal Google for recipes and life advice.
  • Coffee plays a crucial role in my morning routine; without it, I'm just a zombie in pajamas.
  • Exercise plays an important role in maintaining good health and mental well-being.

play a role

NOUN

[/pleɪ ə roʊl/]

to have an important function or influence in a particular situation or process

Volunteers play a role in keeping the community garden alive every weekend.
💡 Concept

Volunteers play a role in keeping the community garden alive every weekend.

Each must play a role to reach our goal and forge our soul!
🎵 Rhyme

Each must play a role to reach our goal and forge our soul!

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/pleɪ ə roʊl/
🇬🇧 UK/pleɪ ə rəʊl/

🌳Etymology

Origin

This phrase originated in Old French theatrical terminology, where 'play' (from Old French 'plier', meaning to bend or manipulate) and 'role' (from Old French 'rolle', derived from Latin 'rotula', a scroll or list) combined to describe an actor's performance of a character part. The meaning metaphorically extended from staged performance to denote any functional responsibility or capacity in everyday contexts.

Breakdown

play (Old French 'plier' - to perform or act) + role (Old French 'rolle' from Latin 'rotula' - a written part or character assigned to a performer). The compound phrase transfers the theatrical concept of character enactment to general functional responsibility.

🎵Rhyme

goalsoulwhole
goal
soul
whole

🔗Collocations

play a crucial role
play a key role
play a vital role
play a leading role
play an active role
play a significant role
play a minor role

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My grandmother plays a vital role in our family - she's basically our personal Google for recipes and life advice.”

😄 Fun example

“Coffee plays a crucial role in my morning routine; without it, I'm just a zombie in pajamas.”

“Exercise plays an important role in maintaining good health and mental well-being.”

“Social media plays a significant role in how young people communicate today.”

📚Related Words

Synonyms

have a functionserve a purposecontribute totake part inbe involved in

Antonyms

have no impactbe irrelevantplay no part

Related

functioncontributeparticipateinfluenceimpactresponsibilityduty

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