Skip to main content
big role

big role

26 2.0
An important part in an event or process
  • noun
translation icon : papel importante
  • One student said, "Health insurance plays a big role in how often people see the doctor."
  • plays a big role
  • also plays a big role

Colour plays a big role in defining shape.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • I think that creativity plays a big role in the sciences.

  • So I think that books play a big role in my understanding of the world.

  • And I think the public has a very big role in changing this.

  • And I feel like they played a big role in me being who I am today.

  • Both of them played a big role in my life and in my career.

  • And so I just feel like my parents played a big role in me.

  • Technology also plays a big role in this.

    Academic text (2015)
  • So I think course options play a big role.

    Academic text (2015)
  • His environment plays a big role in shaping him.

    Academic text (2005)
  • The teacher emphasized that every student has a big role in the success of the group project.

Synonyms

key role
vsbig role
33 3.6

An important part of a process, event, or group

is important or significant but not strictly necessary for the process or event

Antonyms

3 3.5

A small, less important part in a play, film, or TV show

How Important

leading lady
19 3.1
big role
26 2.0
minor role
3 3.5
bit part
5 4.1

Surface Forms

big role singular
big roles plural

Morphology

big + role

The meaning 'an important or significant part' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'big' (important/large) with 'role' (function or part). This is a regular adjective + noun composition common across languages and everyday English, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

The noun big role comes from the theatre, where the word role meant the part an actor played. A big role was a main character with many lines, so the phrase came to mean 'an important part' in any situation.