Meaning
A small acting role with only a few lines, ranking below a supporting part and just above work as an extra; by extension, anyone's minor walk-on role in a larger undertaking. In the US industry a bit is conventionally five lines or fewer. Neutral in industry use; figuratively it tends to sound self-deprecating or slightly dismissive of someone's contribution. Regional use: General English (theatrical origin).
Origin
'Bit' has meant a small piece or portion since about 1600. In theatrical use a 'bit' was a short piece of stage business or a small routine, the sense still visible in Merriam-Webster's definition of a cue as 'a word, phrase, or bit of stage business', and standard acting references define a bit as a comic piece of business or a small section of a scene. A 'bit part' was a role consisting of little more than one such bit, and Etymonline dates the theatrical term to 1909. That date is the firm dictionary anchor; the step from 'piece of business' to 'small role' is the standard account in show-business reference works rather than a separately dated citation. Wikipedia notes the modern industry thresholds the term implies, 'under-fives' in the US and 'under-sixes' in British television.
Research Sources
References used to check this entry’s meaning, history, or documented forms.
Variants
- bit part
- bit player
- bit role
- bit-part actor
- play a bit part
Usage Examples
- After years of bit parts in police dramas, she finally landed a leading role.
- He played a bit part in the company's founding story, filing the paperwork while others made the decisions.
- The film is stuffed with familiar faces in bit parts, some on screen for barely a minute.