Standard Lemma guide

roll-playing

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

An approach to roleplaying games that focuses excessively on numerical scores (such as those obtained by rolling dice) at the expense of character and realism.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Examples

  • 1996, Jean Carrières, Dream Pod 9 Inc, Heavy Gear Rulebook This method is the easiest but it lends itself to "roll-playing" instead of roleplaying since it focuses much of the players attention on dice and bookkeeping tasks.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Blend of roll + role-playing.