role-play

American  

[rohl-pley] / ˈroʊlˌpleɪ /

Or roleplay

verb (used with object)

1. to assume the attitudes, actions, and discourse of (another), especially in a make-believe situation in an effort to understand a differing point of view or social interaction.

   Management trainees were given a chance to role-play labor negotiators.

2. to experiment with or experience (a situation or viewpoint) by playing a role in a make-believe scenario.

   My therapist and I role-played ending a relationship—an important life skill.

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verb (used without object)

1. to engage in role-playing.

noun

1. the act or technique of role-playing, or an instance of this.

   We often use role-play to help new immigrants learn English.

   In my nursing class we had to prepare a role-play about a dementia patient and her caregiver.

Etymology

Origin of role-play

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

"Grok is more prone to jumping into role play," says Nicholls, who worked on that research.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

Hasbro’s products would include products in plush, youth electronics and role play, among others.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 21, 2025

The role play is an example of the type of training being offered by vocational institutions across Indonesia catering to students seeking to fill job vacancies in Japan.

From Reuters • Apr. 4, 2023

There is also role play, in which conflicts between parents and children are reenacted and dissected in class.

From Washington Post • Mar. 7, 2023

These were classes where we had to role play various people we’d find out there—waiters in cafés, policemen and so on.

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro