role model

Meaning

1. 1nouncountable

   A person whose conduct, achievements or character you admire and try to copy in your own life.

   Grammar: Countable: a role model, two role models; often followed by for or to.

   Patterns

   • a role model for someone
   • a role model to someone
   • someone is a role model

   My aunt, a nurse who studied at night, was a role model for me.

   Young players look up to him as a role model both on and off the field.

   Teachers are often seen as role models whether they want that job or not.

Word forms

Common combinations

a positive role model

Parents should try to be a positive role model for their children.

a good role model

She is a good role model for girls who want to study engineering.

serve as a role model

The coach hopes to serve as a role model for the whole team.

look up to someone as a role model

Many students look up to the principal as a role model.

a poor role model

The singer was criticized as a poor role model after the incident.

Synonyms and how they differ

idol

An idol is someone admired intensely, often a celebrity, whereas a role model is admired for qualities you actually try to copy.

mentor

A mentor personally advises and guides you, but a role model can inspire you without ever knowing you.

hero

A hero is admired for courage or great deeds, while a role model is more about everyday example and character.

example

Example is vaguer and can be good or bad, while role model always suggests someone worth imitating.

Opposites

Word family

role noun

the part someone plays in a situation or a story

model noun

a person or thing to be copied

role-play verb

to act out a situation as practice

role reversal noun

a swap in the usual positions of two people

Commonly confused: role model or mentor?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “role model”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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