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

Birger, who owns Plexi Cosplay, a prop-design business in Westminster, Md., had to take down the listing after demand soared and her Instagram post advertising the weapons went viral.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

But social media is not always the fun and jokes portrayed on Cat Cosplay.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 17, 2023

Cosplay is a rigorously planned process, Montes said, requiring multiple suitcases for regular clothes and costumes.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2023

At least one of the apps, Cats & Cosplay, appears to be available for download from Apple’s App Store, as of Friday afternoon.

From Washington Times • Oct. 23, 2020

"Cosplay is a massively inclusive world," says Millie George, who's been making her own costumes for the past four years.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2020