name part
C2Formal/Technical (Theatre & Film), Specialized (Linguistics/Naming Conventions)
Definition
Meaning
A role in a play, film, or other performance that is significant enough to be specifically credited or identified by the character's name.
A part of a compound word, phrase, or title; or, more generally, a constituent element or component of something that is named.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary sense relates to theatrical/performance credits. A secondary, less common sense can refer to a segment of a full name (e.g., surname, given name) or a component of a term.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties, though influenced by respective theatre/film industries.
Connotations
In performance contexts, it implies a role of some prestige or importance, not just a walk-on part.
Frequency
Low frequency in general language; moderately common within professional theatre, film, and casting discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to play the name part (in/of [production])to have the name part (in/of [production])the name part of [character name]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “She finally got her name in lights with the name part.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; potentially in HR or branding ('the brand name part of our identity').
Academic
Used in drama, film, and performance studies to analyse casting and credits.
Everyday
Very rare. Used only by those with knowledge of theatre/film industries.
Technical
Standard term in casting notices, theatre programs, and film credits.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The famous actor had the name part in the new film.
- She was delighted to be offered the name part in the school play.
- After years in the chorus, landing a name part was a major career breakthrough.
- The director insisted on an unknown actor for the name part, arguing it would bring freshness to the classic role.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a playbill where the actor's NAME is listed next to the PART they play.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PART (component) that has a NAME (specific identity). Importance is conceptualized as possessing a distinct label.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'именная часть' for the theatrical sense; use 'главная роль' or 'роль с указанием имени'. For the linguistic sense, 'именная часть' (составного слова) is acceptable.
- Do not confuse with 'first name' (имя) or 'last name' (фамилия).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'name part' to mean 'first name'. (Incorrect: 'My name part is John.' Correct: 'My first name is John.')
- Using it for any acting role instead of specifically a credited/named one.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'name part' MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily, but it is always a role significant enough to be specifically named in the credits or program, which often correlates with lead or major supporting roles.
In general English, no. Its primary meaning is theatrical. In specialized linguistic or onomastic contexts, it could technically refer to a component of a full name, but this is rare and should be clearly specified.
A 'title role' is a specific type of name part where the character's name is also the title of the work (e.g., Hamlet, Macbeth). All title roles are name parts, but not all name parts are title roles.
No, it is a specialised term. In everyday conversation, people would say 'main role', 'lead part', or simply 'the part of [Character Name]'.