role model
B2Formal to neutral; common in educational, sociological, professional, and media discourse.
Definition
Meaning
A person who serves as a positive example in behaviour, attitude, and achievements for others to emulate.
An individual or figure whose character, success, and conduct are admired and consciously imitated by others, often in a specific field or aspect of life. Can be extended to fictional characters or entities in an abstract sense.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a voluntary or involuntary position of influence. While generally positive, the term can be used in neutral or negative contexts (e.g., 'a negative role model'). The focus is on observable behaviour and traits worthy of imitation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. 'Mentor' is a more common professional synonym in both, but a mentor has a direct, active relationship, while a role model may be distant or unaware of their influence.
Connotations
Slightly more frequent in educational and youth development contexts in the UK. In US media, heavily used in sports and celebrity culture discourse.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Person/Group] + be/act as/serve as + a role model + for/to + [Person/Group][Person/Group] + look to/view/see + [Person/Group] + as a role modelVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “set a good/bad example”
- “follow in someone's footsteps”
- “look up to someone”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to senior employees or leaders whose professional ethics and success are emulated by juniors.
Academic
Used in sociology, psychology, and education research to discuss social learning and development.
Everyday
Commonly used by parents, teachers, and in media to discuss who children and young people admire.
Technical
Specific use in modelling theory and social cognitive theory (Bandura).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He has been role-modelling effective leadership for years.
- Schools should encourage older pupils to role-model good behaviour for younger ones.
American English
- She role-modeled resilience throughout the crisis.
- The program pairs new hires with executives who can role-model company values.
adjective
British English
- Her role-model status was unquestioned in the community.
- We need more role-model figures in public life.
American English
- He has a role-model quality that inspires the team.
- The campaign highlights role-model athletes.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My teacher is my role model.
- Parents should be good role models.
- Athletes have a responsibility to act as role models for young fans.
- It's hard to find positive role models in some industries.
- The study examined the impact of parental role models on career choice.
- She consciously tries to serve as a role model for women in engineering.
- The scarcity of attainable role models in deprived communities can perpetuate cycles of low aspiration.
- His tenure as CEO was characterised by a deliberate attempt to role-model ethical decision-making at all levels.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an actor playing a ROLE in a film that others try to MODEL their own behaviour after.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL GUIDANCE IS NAVIGATION ("guiding light"), PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT IS CONSTRUCTION ("model" as a blueprint).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque "роль модель". Use "образец для подражания" or "пример (для подражания)".
Common Mistakes
- Using 'role model' for objects or abstract concepts without personification (e.g., 'This company is a role model' is acceptable; 'This technique is a role model' is not).
- Confusing 'role model' with 'idol' (an idol is admired, a role model is consciously imitated).
Practice
Quiz
Which of these sentences uses 'role model' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the term is often qualified as 'negative role model' or 'bad role model' to indicate someone whose behaviour is influential but not desirable to emulate.
A role model is observed and emulated, often from a distance and without a direct relationship. A mentor has an active, guided, and usually agreed-upon relationship with a mentee.
Yes, it is a closed compound noun, written with a space. Hyphenated forms ('role-model') are used when functioning as a verb or adjective (e.g., role-model behaviour).
Yes, through personification. We speak of a company as a role model, meaning its leadership, culture, or practices are exemplary and imitated by others in the industry.