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.
His mom, Shirley Jones, is an Academy Award-winning actress who starred in a number of movie musicals and the 1970s television show, The Partridge Family. — Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 6 Nov. 2026 The actress is represented by Buchwald, Luber Roklin Entertainment and Bloch Law. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026 Taylor Swift has made moves both behind and in front of the camera, but according to actress Carrie Coon, the singer might have yet another sideline as a professional impressionist. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2026 Arjona is the 21st recipient of the 2026 WIF Max Mara Face of the Future Award, which spotlights an actress on the rise in Hollywood. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 5 Nov. 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 7 Nov. 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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