title role

noun

1. (in a play, opera, etc.) the role or character from which the title is derived:

   She sang the title role in Carmen.

title role

noun

1. the role of the character after whom a play, etc, is named

Word History and Origins

Origin of title role¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

After Rose cast Tony Todd in the title role of the 1992 film, Todd — whose performance would make him an instant horror icon — created his own new backstory for the character.

From Vox

By the time Allen landed the title role in the 1986 Broadway production of “Sweet Charity,” choreographed by Bob Fosse and Gwen Verdon, her castmates knew her by reputation.

From Washington Post

The 1997 Walt Disney TV Cinderella, based on Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical version, was more feminist and ethnically inclusive, with Brandy Norwood starring in the title role.

From Time

I was disappointed that she hadn’t tried harder to look for and accommodate a non-speaking autistic person in the title role before casting her frequent collaborator Maddie Ziegler, a non-autistic person.

From Time

Out actress Sarah Paulson joins previous winner Comer in the running for Television Drama Best Actress, nominated for the title role in Ratched.

From Washington Blade

He intended at first to use it as a movie to star his father in the title role.

From The Daily Beast

So intrigued, in fact, that he even auditioned to play the title role.

From The Daily Beast

Yet you root for the wonderful Oscar Isaac in the title role.

From The Daily Beast

The Bachelor, she points out, has never had a person of color in the title role—a fact they were sued over in 2012.

From The Daily Beast

It stars Hugh Dancy as damaged-goods special agent Will Graham and Mads Mikkelsen in the title role of Hannibal Lecter.

From The Daily Beast

Originally played by Mary Mannering, who created the title role.

From Project Gutenberg

Two dreams beset him in his momentary slumber—one of a play in which the title-role of the general manager was always unfilled.

From Project Gutenberg

But when Mr. Bacon, who also plays the title role, took it to the New York producers they refused it a try-out.

From Project Gutenberg

How he would have liked to hear it, with Lenormand in the title role.

From Project Gutenberg

About twenty years later Mayo dramatized "Pudd'nhead Wilson" and played the title role delightfully.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• advantage
• edge
• margin
• point
• start
• supremacy
• top