role-play

verb

ˈrōl-ˌplā How to pronounce role-play (audio)
-ˈplā
variants or less commonly roleplay
role-played also roleplayed; role-playing also roleplaying; role-plays also roleplays

transitive verb

1
: to act out the role of
2
: to represent in action
students were asked to role-play the thoughts and feelings of each characterR. G. Lambert

intransitive verb

: to play a role
role-play noun
or less commonly roleplay
plural role-plays also roleplays
I practice this with student social workers through case studies and role-play. Kevin Brazant, quoted in psychologytoday.com

Examples of role-play in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
According to this report, examples of SEL methods include having students role-play historical figures to develop empathy, allowing students to self-delegate their roles in group projects, teaching formal SEL topics during homeroom, and assigning journal activities. Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025 Wizards of the Coast, the home of Dungeons & Dragons, is planning to release a new version of the table-top role-playing game called Stranger Things: Welcome to the Hellfire Club, Entertainment Weekly can exclusively reveal. EW.com, 21 July 2025 In April, the billionaire abruptly ended a video game livestream after being publicly heckled and defeated in a popular action role-playing game, Path of Exile 2, on his own platform. Dan Gooding hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025 Overall, Front Mission 3: Remake is a solid update to a classic mecha tactical role-playing game from the PlayStation era. Ollie Barder, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for role-play

Word History

First Known Use

1949, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of role-play was in 1949

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Cite this Entry

“Role-play.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/role-play. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

role-play

verb
ˈrōl-ˌplā,
-ˈplā
: to act out the role of
role-play an interviewer

Medical Definition

role-play

transitive verb

intransitive verb

: to play a role

More from Merriam-Webster on role-play

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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