Beginner cosplay dictionary
Cosplay Glossary
A category-based guide to words you will see while joining group shoots, finding costumes, and preparing for cosplay photoshoots.
Term categories
Basic cosplay termsWords beginners often see first when joining cosplay communities.Costume and prop termsUseful words for buying, making, and passing on cosplay items.Makeup and styling termsWords used when preparing a character look before shooting.Photoshoot and event termsCommon words for events, studio shoots, and posting photos.Trading and marketplace termsWords for safely buying and selling second-hand costumes and props.
Basic cosplay terms
Words beginners often see first when joining cosplay communities.
- Cosplaycostume play
- Dressing as and performing a character or world from anime, games, manga, movies, or other works using costumes, wigs, makeup, and props.
- Cosplayercosplayer
- A person who does cosplay. In Japan, the shortened word "layer" is also common among cosplayers.
- Cosplay photographercamera-ko / photographer
- A photographer who shoots cosplayers at events or studios. Japanese communities may use the slang "kameko".
- Group shootawase
- A planned shoot or meetup where multiple people cosplay characters from the same series or theme.
- Home cosplaytaku-cos
- Cosplaying at home for makeup practice, costume checks, or social media photos.
- Crossplaycrossplay
- Cosplaying a character with a different gender expression, often adjusted through makeup, posture, costume fit, and wig styling.
Costume and prop terms
Useful words for buying, making, and passing on cosplay items.
- Costumecostume
- A set of clothes made for a character or series. Included parts vary, so check the listing details before buying.
- Wigwig
- A hairpiece used to recreate a character hairstyle or color. It may be pre-cut, unstyled, heat-resistant, or already set.
- Propsprops
- Weapons, staffs, accessories, plush toys, and other items that support character expression. Event rules may limit what can be brought in.
- Prop makingcrafting
- Making or modifying weapons, armor, decorative parts, and other items using foam board, resin, paint, 3D printing, and similar techniques.
- Ready-made modificationcustomizing
- Starting from a store-bought garment or item and changing its shape, color, or decoration to match a character.
- Full setfull set
- A listing that bundles a costume, wig, props, shoes, or other parts. The exact contents differ by seller.
Makeup and styling terms
Words used when preparing a character look before shooting.
- Cosplay makeupcos-makeup
- Makeup adjusted to a character face and mood, including brows, eyeliner, under-eye details, contouring, and shading.
- Color contactscolor contacts
- Contact lenses that change eye color or size impression. Use only according to product labeling and professional guidance.
- Wig stylingwig styling
- Cutting and setting a wig into a character hairstyle using trimming, teasing, spray, irons, and other tools.
- Wig capwig cap
- A net or cap used to gather natural hair under a wig and reduce lifting or slipping.
- Character accuracycharacter likeness
- Adjusting costume, expression, posing, makeup, and wig shape to make the character feel more recognizable.
Photoshoot and event terms
Common words for events, studio shoots, and posting photos.
- Cosplay eventcos-event
- An event where cosplay participation is allowed. Check changing rooms, photo areas, prop rules, and ticket requirements before going.
- Location shootlocation shoot
- A photoshoot held outdoors or at a rented location. Permission, terms of use, and consideration for others are important.
- Studio shootstudio shoot
- A shoot in a studio with backgrounds and lighting made for photography. Choose booths that match the series mood.
- After-event hangoutafter
- A meal or casual meetup after an event or shoot. Participation is optional and should fit your schedule and condition.
- Posingposing
- Creating posture and hand shapes that match the character personality or scene. Reference practice improves accuracy.
Trading and marketplace terms
Words for safely buying and selling second-hand costumes and props.
- Transfer / resaleyuzuri
- Passing on a costume or prop you no longer use. Paid transfers should clearly show price, shipping, condition, and included parts.
- Ojyourio-yuzuri
- A Japanese cosplay community phrase used when offering costumes or goods to a new owner.
- Shipping included / excludedshipping terms
- Whether shipping is included in the displayed price. Large props and shoes can make shipping costs higher.
- Anonymous deliveryanonymous shipping
- A delivery method where address details are not shared directly with the other party. COSMA also supports post-office hold pickup.
- Wear counttimes worn
- A rough count of how many times a costume has been used. Consider it together with stains, damage, repairs, and storage condition.
Common cosplay glossary questions
Which terms should a cosplay beginner learn first?+
Start with cosplayer, group shoot, home cosplay, wig, props, and costume trading. Those words appear often in event posts and costume listings.
What should I check before joining a group shoot?+
Check the series, characters, date, venue, participation fee, photographer availability, costume and prop rules, and photo posting policy.
What matters when buying second-hand cosplay costumes?+
Confirm the size, included parts, wear count, stains or damage, shipping fee, and shipping method. Photos are especially useful for wigs and props.