starring role

USAGE SUMMARY

'starring role' is correct and usable in written English.
It usually refers to the lead role in a movie, play, or other performance. For example: She was thrilled to be offered the starring role in the new Broadway production.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

What is the song Starring Role about?

The Guardian - Music

Banter ensued, during which the young woman assumed the starring role of my Christmas Eve.

The New York Times

Starring role on her own new Disney show?

Huffington Post

Greenwich, of course, plays a starring role.

The New York Times

Here, Zimmermann again plays a starring role.

The New York Times

It's her first starring role.

The Guardian - Film

Al Pacino's first starring role.

The Guardian - Film

The villain has a starring role.

The Guardian

He consolidated steps into one starring role.

The New Yorker

But it's coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), that plays the starring role.

The New York Times

And, in other stories, documents themselves have a starring role.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the significance of someone's contribution, use "starring role" to emphasize their central importance, especially in creative or strategic contexts.

Common error

Avoid overusing "starring role" for minor contributions; reserve it for truly central or leading positions to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "starring role" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It denotes the main or most prominent part in a performance or activity, as confirmed by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

6%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "starring role" is a grammatically sound noun phrase commonly used to denote a primary or leading part, particularly in media and entertainment contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is to highlight the central importance of a person or entity. While its register is generally neutral, it is essential to reserve it for truly significant contributions to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives such as "lead role" or "main role" can be considered depending on the nuance you want to convey. Predominantly found in news and media, its usage remains consistent and understandable across diverse settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lead role

Replaces "starring" with "lead", a direct synonym indicating the primary position.

main role

Substitutes "starring" with "main", emphasizing the central importance of the role.

leading part

Uses "part" instead of "role", maintaining the concept of a primary function.

prominent role

Focuses on the visibility and significance of the role.

principal role

Replaces "starring" with "principal", indicating a top-level position.

major role

Highlights the significance or scale of the role.

key role

Highlights the importance of the role to the overall outcome.

central role

Emphasizes the role's position as a core element.

pivotal role

Emphasizes the role's importance in influencing outcomes.

significant role

Underscores the considerable impact or importance of the function.

FAQs

How can I use "starring role" in a sentence?

You can use "starring role" to describe someone who plays a central or leading part in an event, project, or performance. For example: "She landed the "starring role" in the new play."

What are some alternatives to "starring role"?

Alternatives include "lead role", "main role", or "prominent role" depending on the context.

Is "starring role" formal or informal?

"Starring role" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is most frequently found in news and media.

What does it mean when someone has a "starring role"?

It means they have a major, leading part or position, typically in a performance or event. It implies they are central to the action and highly visible.