How to pronounce role
Say it like ROHL. Role is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce role. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ROHL
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Role pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ROHLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of role
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: ROHL.
What does role mean?
- the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group“the function of a teacher”“the government must do its part”
- an actor's portrayal of someone in a play“she played the part of Desdemona”
- what something is used for“the function of an auger is to bore holes”“ballet is beautiful but what use is it?”
Where does role come from?
From French rôle, from Middle French rolle, from Old French role, from Medieval Latin rotulus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with role
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of role.
Words that sound like role
Questions about saying role
How do you pronounce role?
Say ROHL. The American pronunciation is /roʊl/. In British English it is /rəʊl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in role?
Role is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: ROHL.
Is role pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /rəʊl/ (ROHL).
What words sound the same as role?
Role sounds the same as roll in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.