cosplay

[ kos-pley ]

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.

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cosplay¹

First recorded in 1995–2000; cos(tume) + play

Example Sentences

HuntingCrossbows replied to our query about the legality of the weapon it sold us and other knives for sale on its website by saying "these are cosplay or display knives for decoration use only".

From BBC

Alito’s choice to become a knight in the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of St. George, an order led by fringe Italian monarchists, is not mere eccentric cosplay, although it is certainly also that.

From Slate

Former President Donald Trump's cosplay as a garbage truck driver nearly met with disaster after he appeared to miss the door handle on the vehicle's passenger side and nearly lost his footing.

From Salon

In some cases, people are just set off on their own to a deserted island to cosplay as castaways.

From Slate

This wasn’t the rhetorical cosplay we’ve seen on American college campuses.

From Los Angeles Times