cosplay

[kos-pley] /ˈkɒsˌpleɪ/

noun

the art or practice of wearing costumes to portray characters from fiction, especially from manga, animation, and science fiction.

a skit featuring these costumed characters.

verb (used with object)

to portray (a fictional character) by dressing in costume.

verb (used without object)

to take part in cosplay:

He cosplayed as a Jedi from Star Wars.

Origin of cosplay

1995-2000

First recorded in 1995-2000; cos(tume) + play

Examples from the Web for cosplay

Contemporary Examples

Over the course of researching the phenomenon, Simmons stumbled upon the bizarre world of Japanese cosplay.

A Doll’s Life: Laurie Simmons Explores Kigurumi Ann Binlot March 9, 2014
Then, after a long period off, I started again with a GoT cosplay.

Inside the Obsessive Fantasy World of ‘Game of Thrones’ Cosplay Amy Zimmerman April 5, 2014
Martin was out there judging a cosplay contest as part of Courtyard by Marriott's Super Hero HQ.

George R.R. Martin on ‘Game of Thrones,’ That Controversial Rape Scene, and His Writing Progress Annaliza Savage July 27, 2014
Growing up, I started to attend comic conventions and to be aware of the cosplay world.

Inside the Obsessive Fantasy World of ‘Game of Thrones’ Cosplay Amy Zimmerman April 5, 2014

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