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

Example Sentences

Savvy stylists are also driving the red carpet cosplay.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Salon

Stephanie Smith, one of the developers, told The Times that the bill was born of the “protests of wealthy homeowners, many of whom cosplay as housing advocates until the proposed housing is in their neighborhood.”

From Los Angeles Times

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

From Barron's

Grate in a little carrot and suddenly you’ve made breakfast cosplay as carrot cake.

From Salon