Meaning & use
supporting roles
Last updated
UK/səˈpɔːtɪŋ rəʊlz/
US/səˈpɔːrtɪŋ roʊlz/
Meaning
nounplural
Parts in a play, film, or show that are important but not the main leading parts.
Grammar: Always plural in this form; the singular is 'a supporting role'. Use it to talk about several such parts.
Patterns
- play supporting roles
- take supporting roles
- be in supporting roles
- supporting roles in a film
She has played supporting roles in several Hollywood movies.
The actor is known for his supporting roles in comedies.
Many famous stars started out in supporting roles.
Word forms
| singular | supporting role |
|---|
Common combinations
- play a supporting role
- He played a supporting role in the new drama series.
- take a supporting role
- She took a supporting role in the school play.
- supporting cast
- The supporting cast was excellent.
- a supporting role in a film
- He had a supporting role in the film.
Synonyms and how they differ
- minor role
- Suggests a less important part; 'supporting role' is more neutral and often respected.
- secondary role
- Focuses on being second in importance, not necessarily in acting.
Opposites
leading rolesmain roles
Word family
- support verb
- To help or encourage someone or something.
- supporting adjective
- Giving help or encouragement; also used for acting parts that are not main.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'supporting roles' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Supporting roles' is a plural noun phrase for acting parts. 'Played many supporting roles' is correct. The other options misuse the phrase grammatically.
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