Meaning & use
bit parts
Last updated
“bit parts” is a form of “bit part”.
Meaning
nouncountable
A small acting role in a film, play, or show, often with few lines.
Grammar: Countable; usually used in the plural 'bit parts' when talking about several roles. The singular is 'bit part'.
Patterns
- play bit parts
- have bit parts
- bit parts in something
She started her career playing bit parts in low-budget films.
He had bit parts in several TV series before he became famous.
Many actors begin with bit parts and then move on to bigger roles.
Word forms
| singular | bit part |
|---|
Common combinations
- play bit parts
- He played bit parts in many theater productions.
- have bit parts
- They had bit parts in the movie, but their scenes were cut.
- bit parts in a film
- She got bit parts in a few films before her big break.
- small bit parts
- The director gave small bit parts to local actors.
Synonyms and how they differ
- minor roles
- More formal and general; can refer to any small role, not just acting.
- cameos
- Usually a short appearance by a famous person, often uncredited; a bit part is a small role for any actor.
Opposites
Word family
- bit player noun
- An actor who typically plays small roles.
Commonly confused: bit parts or bit parts vs. bit players?
bit parts vs bit parts vs. bit players
A bit part is the role itself; a bit player is the actor who plays such roles. Do not mix them up.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'bit parts' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 0 is correct because 'bit parts' refers to small acting roles in plays. The other options use 'bit parts' in unrelated contexts where it does not make sense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “bit parts”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.