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

These titles build on the success of 2020 hit Brookhaven, where kids role-play life in the titular suburb.

From Barron's • Nov. 26, 2025

Character.AI, one of the top makers of role-play and companion chatbots, implemented the daily two-hour limit in November, citing mental-health concerns.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 25, 2025

She broke up with her first chatbot boyfriend after an argument that broke out when he wouldn’t let her meet his very traditional parents—even though it was digital role-play.

From Slate • Sep. 25, 2025

“A lot of people are coming from traditional theater. There’s people from escape rooms. We’re coming from live-action role-playing and a type of role-play where it’s not scripted.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2025

"It does make the role-play a little bit less realistic, whereas the VR puts you straight into an environment that's very realistic to how it's going to be in the outside world."

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2024