Role VS Roll Confusing Words

What is the difference between role vs roll in English?. Roll and roll are often confused in English because they are homophones. This means they sound the same, but they have different meanings and spellings.

Roll: Verb and Noun with Various Meanings

Roll, R-O-L-L, can function as a noun or a verb, and its meaning varies depending on the context.

Roll As a Verb:

As a verb, to roll means to move by turning over and over.

Examples:

• The ball rolled down the hill, rolling over and over.
• Chris rolled up the map and put it in his backpack.
• Roll the dice. It’s your turn.
• Mom rolled out the dough to make cookies.

Roll As a Noun:

As a noun, roll has several meanings. Most commonly, it refers to a small round piece of bread or a list of names.

Examples:

• Can you pass me a dinner roll?
• I love to have a fresh cinnamon roll with my morning coffee.
• Sarah’s excellent grades earned her a place on the honor roll.
• The teacher took roll call at the beginning of the class.

Role: (Noun) A Specific Position or Responsibility

Role is a noun that describes a specific position, responsibility, or part that someone or something plays in a given context. For example:

• Ronaldo played an important role in the team’s success.
• As a parent, it’s my role to provide for my children.
• A teacher’s role is to educate and guide their students.
• That actor always plays the role of the villain in movies.

Common Expressions with Roll and Role

Roll:

• Rock and roll: a genre of music.
• On a roll: having a period of continuous success or progress.
• Drum roll: a continuous sound produced by rapidly and repeatedly beating a drum.
• Roll one’s eyes: when you move your eyes upwards and around in a circle, often to show that you are annoyed or aggravated by something.

Role:

• To play a role: to play a part.
• Role model: someone who serves as an example and inspires others. Mother Teresa is a role model to many people.
• Leading role: the main or most important role in a play, movie, or performance.
• Supporting role: a secondary or less prominent role in a play, movie, or performance.

Quiz: Test Your Knowledge

Now, let’s test your understanding with a quiz. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “roll” or “role”:

1. Julia Roberts played the leading ____ in the film.
2. She scored another goal. She’s on a ____.
3. Can you help me _____ out the pizza dough?
4. Please don’t _____ your eyes. It’s very rude.
5. My parents are my _____ models. They are wonderful.
6. Did you already _____ the dice? I wasn’t paying attention.
7. I’d like a dinner ____ with butter, please.

Watch my video on roll VS role on Youtube to see the answers to this quiz! I hope you enjoyed this lesson, and make sure to check out other lessons in my commonly confused words in English series.