What does cosplay mean?
Cosplay is the activity of dressing up as a character from anime, manga, video games, films, comic books, or other popular media, often involving handmade costumes, wigs, and props. It functions both as an uncountable noun describing the pastime ('she is into cosplay') and, less formally, as a verb ('they cosplayed their favourite heroes'), while a specific outfit may be called 'a cosplay'. The word is a blend of 'costume' and 'play', coined in Japan in 1984 and since adopted into English worldwide. Cosplay carries enthusiastic, creative connotations and is strongly associated with fan conventions, where participants showcase craftsmanship and sometimes compete. Related forms include 'cosplayer' (a practitioner) and 'cosplaying'. Though rooted in fandom subculture, the term has become mainstream enough to appear freely in general journalism.
The practice of dressing up as a character from a film, book, game, or anime/manga; also, a costume made for that purpose.
"Her detailed cosplay took months of sewing and prop-making."
Uncountable when referring to the activity; countable when referring to a particular costume.
To take part in cosplay; to dress up as a fictional character.
"They plan to cosplay as characters from the series at next month's convention."
Often followed by 'as' plus the character name.
The plural applies when referring to multiple individual costumes rather than the general activity.
"The hall was filled with impressive cosplays of every kind."
'Cosplay' was coined by a Japanese journalist in 1984 by blending 'costume' and 'play' — a portmanteau so successful it spread back into English.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cosplay
Cosplay is a portmanteau of the English words 'costume' and 'play', coined by Japanese journalist Nobuyuki Takahashi in 1984 after attending a science fiction convention in Los Angeles, where he saw costumed fans. The term entered Japanese as kosupure and later spread back into international English alongside the global growth of anime and manga fandom. Its component 'costume' traces through French to Italian, ultimately from Latin, while 'play' is a native Germanic word.
Related word forms
How cosplay is actually used
Informal-to-neutral register; widely understood among younger speakers and fan communities. Both noun ('her cosplay') and verb ('to cosplay as a character') are common. The countable noun usually refers to a specific costume.