role-playing

American  

[rohl-pley-ing] / ˈroʊlˌpleɪ ɪŋ /

noun

1. a method of instruction or psychotherapy aimed at changing attitudes and behavior, in which participants act out designated roles relevant to real-life situations.

2. the modifying of a person's behavior to accord with a desired personal image, as to impress others or conform to a particular environment.

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role-playing British  

noun

1. psychol activity in which a person imitates, consciously or unconsciously, a role uncharacteristic of himself See also psychodrama

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Etymology

Origin of role-playing

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

role-playing

Across YouTube videos, video games, VR experiences and TikTok edits, audiences are located inside the environment itself blurring the boundaries between storytelling, role-playing, tourism and online participation.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 26, 2026

The company has in recent years attracted more teens and adults with role-playing and trading-card games.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026

The role-playing adventure, developed by French developer Sandfall Interactive, received 12 nominations in total, including best game, best music and best narrative.

From BBC ● Mar. 12, 2026

Some are backing away from exclusionary discipline like suspensions and expulsions and have embraced schoolwide approaches that reward positive behavior and provide social skills practice through games and role-playing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 17, 2026

To that you could add communism, games, the web comic Homestuck, and live-action role-playing, or larping.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater