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

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

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

“You get to cosplay who you want to be and how you live your life.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

The self-promotion earned Noem a reputation for cosplay and the nickname "ICE Barbie" from her critics -- a reference to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency which she headed.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 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