# roleplaying

/ˈɹoʊɫˌpɫeɪɪŋ/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/roleplaying
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

the activity of pretending to be someone else or acting out a story with other people. You do this to learn new skills or have fun with friends.

For teachers: the practice of assuming a fictional character or persona to interact with others in a simulated environment. Often used to develop social skills, explore psychological scenarios, or engage in collaborative storytelling.

## Examples

- The children enjoy roleplaying as doctors and nurses.
- The training program uses roleplaying to help new employees practice difficult conversations with customers.
- In many social psychology experiments, participants engage in roleplaying to understand how different social identities influence behavior and decision-making within a group.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.