actress

noun

ac·​tress ˈak-trəs How to pronounce actress (audio)
Synonyms of actressnext
: a woman or girl who is an actor
actressy
ˈak-trə-sē How to pronounce actress (audio)
adjective

Examples of actress in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Zendaya’s mom rang in the actress’s 30th birthday with a sentimental Instagram post. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 2 Sep. 2026 Wood and his girlfriend, actress Hanna Mangan-Lawrence, split in January 2017. — Alexandra Schonfeld, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 In 2008, the actress-singer legally changed her name to Miley Ray Cyrus. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 In our first episode, Cruel talks with actress Olivia Munn about her experience with breast cancer. — Kara McGrath, Allure, 1 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for actress

Word History

Etymology

actor + -ess

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of actress was in 1586

Rhymes for actress

See All Rhymes for actress

Browse Nearby Words

act psychology
actress
actressy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Actress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/actress. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

actress

noun
ac·​tress ˈak-trəs How to pronounce actress (audio)
: a woman or girl who acts especially in a play or movie or on television

More from Merriam-Webster on actress

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for actress

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about actress

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