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
Synonyms of role-playnext

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
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.
In October, Netflix named Mattel the master licensee for dolls, action figures and other products for KPop Demon Hunters, while Hasbro was named master licensee for games and role-play toys, among other items. Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 Throw in high steal rates the past two seasons in a solid conference, solid defensive work overall, plus-rebounding for his position and his ability to get free points in transition, and the outlines of a role-playing wing are there. John Hollinger, New York Times, 20 June 2026 Peacock has given a straight-to-series order to Dungeon Crawler Carl, a live-action series adaptation of Matt Dinniman’s popular science fantasy LitRPG (role-playing game) books. Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 18 June 2026 Game Studio is working on an action role-playing game that brings the fictional video game at the heart of the series to life. Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 10 June 2026 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 Jun. 2026.

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

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