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cosplay

[ kos-pley ]

/ ˈkɒsˌpleɪ /

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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.

VIDEO FOR COSPLAY

"Cosplay": It's Not Just For Halloween

Cosplay: The internet is full of it, there's no shortage, but that's the beauty of it is that everybody has a voice in that who wants to. How have you participated in "cosplay"?

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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

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Origin of cosplay

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

Words nearby cosplay

cosmopolitanism, cosmopolitanize, cosmopolite, cosmos, cosmotron, cosplay, cosponsor, coss, Cossack, cossack hat, Cossacks

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use cosplay in a sentence

With all of her cosplay appearances canceled, she was also worried about keeping her three employees paid.
All dressed up with nowhere to go: Cosplaying in the pandemic|Lauren Orsini|June 25, 2021|Washington Post
Eventually, Han taught her employees to craft masks and began offering them in her shop alongside cosplay props.
All dressed up with nowhere to go: Cosplaying in the pandemic|Lauren Orsini|June 25, 2021|Washington Post
Since Han runs a cosplay shop where she sells supplies and handmade accessories for cosplayers, she already had a ready supply of the cotton fabric and elastic ties that could be difficult to source in the early days of the pandemic.
All dressed up with nowhere to go: Cosplaying in the pandemic|Lauren Orsini|June 25, 2021|Washington Post
Each day she went to work wearing the same type of medical gloves from her Lifeline cosplay, but for a very different reason.
All dressed up with nowhere to go: Cosplaying in the pandemic|Lauren Orsini|June 25, 2021|Washington Post

A portmanteau of “costume” and “play,” cosplay has been steadily growing in popularity as a hobby, and sometimes even a profession.
All dressed up with nowhere to go: Cosplaying in the pandemic|Lauren Orsini|June 25, 2021|Washington Post
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 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
My first GoT themed cosplay was as Catelyn Stark and one of my closest friends was cosplaying Arya.
Inside the Obsessive Fantasy World of ‘Game of Thrones’ Cosplay|Amy Zimmerman|April 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Asoiaf Cosplay consists of over 50 players who come together at least once a month at conventions and events.
Inside the Obsessive Fantasy World of ‘Game of Thrones’ Cosplay|Amy Zimmerman|April 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST