Role or Roll?

What Is the Difference between "Role" and "Roll"?

"Role" and "roll" are easy to confuse because they sound identical (i.e., they are perfect homonyms). However, their meanings are very different.

• Role. "Role" is an "actor's portrayal of a character" or "a job or function." For example:
• You were brilliant in your Hamlet role, dear.
• What's your role in the office?
• Roll. A roll is a "list (usually of names)" or a "piece of bread." The verb "to roll" usually means "to move by rotating" or "to start."
• Call the roll, Mr. Jones.
• Nothing beats a fresh roll straight from the oven.
• Roll the snowman's head over to the body.

More about "Role" and "Roll"

"Role" and "roll" are homophone homonyms (words that sound the same). They are not homograph homonyms (words that look the same).

Role

The noun "role" means "an actor's portrayal of a character" or "a job or function (of a person or thing)." For example:

• Teddy was totally convincing in the role of Shylock.
• What's your role onboard this aircraft?
• The thermostat's role is to keep the temperature below 200 degrees so the casing does not melt.

Role as a Noun

As a noun, "roll" has three main meanings:

(1) A small round piece of bread (i.e., a bread roll)

For example:

• Would you like butter on your roll?

(2) A list

For example:

• Please check the nominal roll to ensure we're all present.

(3) A rotating movement

For example:

• The acrobat did three rolls and backflip.

Role as a Verb

As a verb, "to roll" has three main meanings:

(1) To move by rotating or gather by rolling.

• We used to roll the hay bales down the hill.
• Roll over a bit.
• They rolled the best cigars in the world.

(2) To move on wheels

• The skateboarders rolled past the park attendant, and he did not say a word.

(3) To start

• Roll the cameras.
• Roll the credits.

Roll the Ball

The word "roll" usually has a circular, spherical, or cylindrical connection. For example:

• Roll a cigar
  
• Roll the film
  
• Roll away.
  

You might think "roll" meaning "list" is an exception to this observation. However, if you think of a roll as a scroll, the circular link is there.

Let the last two letters of "ball" bring "roll" to mind.