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

Engaging in role-playing scenarios can be an effective way to help individuals practice setting and enforcing boundaries in a safe and supportive environment. —Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 24 Mar. 2025

The role-playing influence has players collecting experience points for Kratos to level up, coming up with strategic character builds around abilities and magic, and crafting armor pieces while keeping in mind stats and resistances. —Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 22 Mar. 2025

Every action in this isometric role-playing game is decided by the rolling of a 20-sided dice, and there is a frankly dizzying array of menus and submenus to parse. —Lewis Gordon, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025

So Far Yet, despite being the ideal role-playing game — one that should (theoretically) be easy enough to replicate — there’s never been a true sequel, spiritual successor, or flat-out copy that can live up to the standard. —Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for role-play

• aaa
• adonais
• alleyway
• alumnae
• anime
• anyway
• arete
• attache
• baa
• beaujolais
• bouvier
• breakaway

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