role-play

verb

ˈrōl-ˌplā How to pronounce role-play (audio)
-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 characterR. 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
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.
Parish sees Metroid and The Legend of Zelda, which was also released in 1986 for the Famicom, as forks in the road of the role-playing game genre. Lewis Gordon, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025 Across the vast history of role-playing games, few studios have managed to be as influential as Obsidian Entertainment. Hayes Madsen, Rolling Stone, 14 Feb. 2025 Companion characters, an element that can make or break role-playing games, fail to make much of an impression and, even as their individual struggles are introduced, feel overwhelmingly concerned with educating your character — who, again, is frustratingly narrow in their expression. Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 13 Feb. 2025 It's based on the popular tabletop role-playing game, and earned acclaim for its accuracy, humor, and charm. Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for role-play

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of role-play was in 1949

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Cite this Entry

“Role-play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/role-play. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

role-play

verb
ˈrōl-ˌplā,
-ˈplā
: to act out the role of
role-play an interviewer

Medical Definition

role-play

transitive verb

intransitive verb

: to play a role

More from Merriam-Webster on role-play

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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