role and roll

A role is an actor's portrayal of a character or a job or function

A roll is a list (usually of names) or a piece of bread.

To roll usually means to gather by rolling or to move by rotating.

Role and Roll

Writers often confuse the words role and roll.

Role

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

Examples:

Roll

The word roll has several meanings:

To move by rotating or gather by rolling. To move on wheels. A list. To start. A small round piece of bread (i.e., a bread roll).

A Quick Test

ROLL THE BALL 

The word roll usually has a circular, spherical, or cylindrical connotation. For example:
Let the last two letters of ball bring roll to mind.

A LIST ISN'T ROUND

The most obvious exception to this is when roll means list. In this case, let the last letter of roll remind you of list. Alternatively, think of a scroll containing a list of names.


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See Also

What are nouns? What are verbs? List of easily confused words