role-play

verb

ˈrōl-ˌplā 

-ˈplā

variants or less commonly roleplay

role-played also roleplayed; role-playing also roleplaying; role-plays also roleplays

transitive verb

1

: to act out the role of

2

: to represent in action

students were asked to role-play the thoughts and feelings of each character

—R. G. Lambert

intransitive verb

: to play a role

role-play noun

or less commonly roleplay

plural role-plays also roleplays

I practice this with student social workers through case studies and role-play.

—Kevin Brazant, quoted in psychologytoday.com

Examples of role-play in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

My only real concern is how newer players will handle the more old school style of Japanese role-playing games. —Ollie Barder, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024

Atlus is currently at the forefront of a golden era for role-playing games, setting records with games like 2016’s breakout success Persona 5 and this year’s Persona 3 Reload, which became the fastest-selling game in the developer’s history within its first week. —Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 8 Oct. 2024

Over the previous decade, Mats had spent about 20,000 hours playing World of Warcraft, an online role-playing fantasy game. —Jake Kring-Schreifels, TIME, 25 Oct. 2024

Now, Titmouse is looking to bring its own spin on the classic role-playing game. —Rob Wieland, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

role-play

verb

ˈrōl-ˌplā,

-ˈplā

: to act out the role of

role-play an interviewer

Medical Definition

role-play

transitive verb

ˈrōl-ˌplā 

: act out

intransitive verb

: to play a role