acting

1 of 2

noun

act·​ing ˈak-tiŋ 

: the art or practice of representing a character on a stage or before cameras

acting

2 of 2

adjective

1

: holding a temporary rank or position : performing services temporarily

acting president

2

a

: suitable for stage performance

an acting play

b

: prepared with directions for actors

an acting text of a play

Synonyms

Adjective

• interim

Examples of acting in a Sentence

Noun

Her acting is unusually good in this film.

a new style of acting

Adjective

The college's acting president will be replaced with a permanent one next fall.

will serve as acting president of the university until a permanent replacement can be found

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

It’s held together by the acting as yet another incredible performance from Banu Valladares this season. —Zach Dennis, Charlotte Observer, 15 Aug. 2025

Washington, 70, has won two Oscars and has been nominated seven other times in his storied acting career. —Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Aug. 2025

Adjective

The project is nominated for three Emmys, including best comedy series and acting nods for Bell and Brody. —Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 8 Aug. 2025

His last acting role was in the 2021 teen comedy This Is the Year. —Keith Langston, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

from gerund of act entry 2

Adjective

from present participle of act entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1590, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing acting

• long-acting reversible contraception
• long-acting reversible contraceptive
• self-acting

Rhymes for acting

• abstracting
• attracting
• coacting
• compacting
• contacting
• detracting
• distracting
• enacting
• exacting
• extracting
• impacting
• reacting

Kids Definition

acting

adjective

act·​ing

ˈak-tiŋ

: serving temporarily or in place of another

acting president