- to assume the attitudes, actions, and discourse of (another), especially in a make-believe situation in an effort to understand a differing point of view or social interaction: Management trainees were given a chance to role-play labor negotiators.
- to experiment with or experience (a situation or viewpoint) by playing a role in a make-believe scenario: My therapist and I role-played ending a relationship—an important life skill.
- to engage in role-playing.
- the act or technique of role-playing, or an instance of this: We often use role-play to help new immigrants learn English.In my nursing class we had to prepare a role-play about a dementia patient and her caregiver.
