Phrase guide

bit part

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A minor role, generally not assigned a name.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: acting, broadcasting, entertainment, film, lifestyle, media, television, theater

Examples

  • 2005, Most of her work, however, consisted of bit parts. She often was cast in movies credited only as "flower vendor," "warden" or "suntan lady," — 'Five Easy Pieces' waitress dead at 85, CNN online.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a small role

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: minor role

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: character, role, theatrical role, part, persona

Narrower terms: soubrette

History

Etymology

From bit + part.

Across languages

Translations

9 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: второстепенна роля (vtorostepenna rolja) — a minor role
  • Bulgarian: епизодична роля (epizodična rolja) — a minor role
  • Italian: particina — a minor role
  • Italian: ruolo secondario — a minor role
  • Italian: ruolo minore — a minor role
  • Italian: generico — a minor role
  • Japanese: ちょい役 (choiyaku) — a minor role
  • Polish: rólka — a minor role
  • Russian: эпизоди́ческая ро́ль (epizodíčeskaja rólʹ) — a minor role