Reading Theme:
Leading Role Meaning, Examples & Usage Guide (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：main character (Leading role)
Leading role
/ˈliːdɪŋ roʊl/
n.
The most important actor or character in a play, movie, or show, who the story focuses on.
main character
➕
/meɪn ˈkærəktər/
n.
The most important actor or character in a play, film, or television show, around whom the story revolves.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Lead (to guide) + -ing (present participle) + role (part or character).
💡 Mnemonic
The leader plays the leading role in every play.
📖 Example
In the school play, my friend got the leading role and practiced her lines every day.
My friend was selected as the main actor in the school play, so she spent time memorizing her lines daily.
🔗 Collocations
leading role in – the main character in a production
play the leading role – to perform as the lead character
star in the leading role – to be the famous actor who plays the lead
🔄 Synonyms
lead (n.) – The main performer in a show.
protagonist (n.) – The central character in a story.
star (n.) – A famous actor who plays the lead.
🚫 Antonyms
supporting role (n.) – A role that is less important than the lead.
extra (n.) – A background actor with no lines.
bit part (n.) – A very small role.
📖 Cultural Story
The term 'leading role' originates from 16th-century theater, where the 'lead' actor carries the main narrative. It gained metaphorical use in business and leadership contexts by the early 20th century.
Meaning 2：key leader (Leading role)
Leading role
/ˈliːdɪŋ roʊl/
n.
A position of leadership or key importance in a group, project, or organization.
key leader
➕
/kiː ˈliːdər/
n.
A position of primary importance or responsibility within a group, project, or organization.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
During the environmental cleanup, she took the leading role in coordinating volunteers.
She assumed the primary leadership position in the environmental cleanup by organizing the volunteers.
🔗 Collocations
take the leading role – to assume the primary responsibility
leading role in – key position within a project or group
play a leading role – to be very important in a project
🔄 Synonyms
main role (n.) – a role of primary importance
key position (n.) – a crucial role in an organization
leadership (n.) – the act of leading a group
🚫 Antonyms
subordinate role (n.) – a role that is lower in rank
follower (n.) – someone who supports a leader
minor part (n.) – a less significant contribution
🌱 Derivatives
lead (v.) – to guide or direct a group
leader (n.) – a person who guides a group
leadership (n.) – the quality of being a leader
Wordbook
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