actor

noun

ac·​tor ˈak-tər 

 also  -ˌtȯr

1

: one that acts : doer

2

a

: one who acts in a play, movie, television show, etc.

b

: one who behaves as if acting a part

3

: one that takes part in any affair : participant

political actors

actorish

ˈak-tə-rish 

adjective

actorly

ˈak-tər-lē 

adjective

Synonyms

• actress
• performer
• entertainer
• thespian

Examples of actor in a Sentence

my sister went to drama school to become an actor

Benjamin Franklin was a major actor in many of the events leading up to the founding of our nation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Last year, on his 47th birthday on March 8, the actor confirmed that Humes' sweet tradition continued. —Erin Clack, People.com, 20 July 2025

One of the more famous actors to save the day on the big screen, Henry Cavill debuted as Superman in 2013's Man of Steel. —EW.com, 20 July 2025

The attack has so far targeted a broad sweep of users across North America, EMEA and APAC regions, and high-value industries appear to be favored by the threat actors behind the campaign. —Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025

The actor reprised his role as Ray Bronson in the legacy sequel to the first movie in the four-part franchise. —Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English actour "doer, pleader," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin āctor, from agere "to drive (cattle), cause to move, do" + -tor, agent suffix — more at agent

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing actor

• bad actor
• character actor
• co-actor

Rhymes for actor

• acter
• factor
• tractor
• attractor
• cofactor
• compactor
• contactor
• contractor
• distractor
• extractor
• impactor
• protractor

Kids Definition

actor

noun

ac·​tor ˈak-tər 

: one that acts

especially : a person who acts especially in a play or movie or on television