role model

noun

Synonyms of role modelnext
: a person whose behavior in a particular role is imitated by others

Examples of role model in a Sentence

Athletes should remember that they are role models.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Seeking a strong and consistent male role model, Withers bonded with Kionte. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 4 Aug. 2026 Leaders reflect and role model the values of the business and share these with managers, who then embed these values with their teams. — David Morel, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Outside of her on-court success, Reese has become one of the faces of the league, and is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and role model for the next generation of female athletes. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026 Becoming a role model through basketball Mata-Real isn’t sure what his next chapter will look like. — Ethan Hanson, Daily News, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for role model

Word History

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of role model was in 1947

Rhymes for role model

See All Rhymes for role model

Browse Nearby Words

role
role model
roleo
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Role model.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/role%20model. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

role model

noun
: a person whose behavior in a certain role is imitated by others

Medical Definition

role model

noun
: a person whose behavior in a particular role is imitated by others
watching our parents and other role models deal with conflict—Melody Beattie

More from Merriam-Webster on role model

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for role model

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about role model

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All