cosplay

American  

[kos-pley] / ˈkɒsˌpleɪ /

noun

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

2. a skit featuring these costumed characters.

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verb (used with object)

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

verb (used without object)

1. to take part in cosplay.

   He cosplayed as a Jedi from Star Wars.

Etymology

Origin of cosplay

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

Explanation

The hobby of dressing up like your favorite fictional character is cosplay. Your city's annual science fiction convention is a perfect opportunity for cosplay. Cosplay was coined in Japan in 1984 as a portmanteau of costume and play, or roleplay — and that's exactly what cosplay is. Rather than simply dressing up, cosplay involves performing a character. Attend a Comic Con and you'll see a wide variety of cosplay: characters from TV and anime, video games, Marvel movies, Star Wars and Dr. Who. If you've always wanted to be General Okoye from Black Panther, cosplay makes it possible!

Example Sentences

Dance music blasts across the exhibition hall, as an army of GoPro-holding content creators wander around in cosplay.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Ten years later, he was tiring of breaking news assignments and stashed away his “TV News cosplay gear” to ring in 2025.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 5, 2026

Yes, they make the sugar-dusted classics you dunk into thick warm chocolate, but here churros cosplay as dinner.

From Salon • Dec. 6, 2025

It has become an all-conquering meme sparking its own fan fiction and cosplay characters.

From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025

Young professionals who wear what was trendy when they were in diapers can look like they’re engaging in cosplay.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 16, 2025