actor

play

noun ac·tor \ ˈak-tər also -ˌtȯr \

Definition of actor

1 :one that acts :doer

2 a :one who represents a character in a dramatic production

b :a theatrical performer

c :one who behaves as if acting a part

3 :one that takes part in any affair

—

actorish

play \-tə-rish\ adjective

—

actorly

play \-tər-lē\ adjective

See actor defined for English-language learners

See actor defined for kids

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 of actor from the Web

David Sims thinks the show’s summer Weekend Update specials have laid bare a troubling dependence on actors outside the core ensemble.

— the editors, The Atlantic, "The Atlantic’s Week in Culture," 25 Aug. 2017
In addition to potentially hiring local crews and actors, productions require support services from local businesses such as catering, set building and hairstyling.

— david garrick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "New film office aims to revive San Diego as site for movies, TV," 25 Aug. 2017
Callan now works in the film industry as a crew member, actor and filmmaker.

— jeffrey lee puckett, The Courier-Journal, "20 years ago today, the Belle of Louisville sank – and the saboteur is still making news," 24 Aug. 2017
A lot of us are actors or singers in our own right.

— manny navarro, miamiherald, "Meet the Udonis Haslem of the Heat’s Golden Oldies," 22 Aug. 2017
Actors and comedians, notably Patton Oswalt, have produced staged readings of the film’s screenplay.

— bruce handy, vanityfair.com, "The French Film Critic Who Saw Jerry Lewis’s Infamous Holocaust Movie—and Loved It," 21 Aug. 2017
Actors and comedians, notably Patton Oswalt, have produced staged readings of the film’s screenplay.

— bruce handy, HWD, "The French Film Critic Who Saw Jerry Lewis’s Infamous Holocaust Movie—and Loved It," 21 Aug. 2017
In the early stages of rehearsal, Andy Leahy talks with his actors about comedy's occasional dependence on era and looks for ways to angle a gag written in 1930 to suit the sensibilities of a 2017 audience.

— angela denk, Daily Southtown, "Show goes on for Flossmoor professional theater, despite death of founding member," 18 Aug. 2017
Incoherence emerges, magnified by a music video in which the Welsh actor Luke Evans gets stricken by paranoia, injures himself running away from ordinary people, and dashes madly into the sea, where he is rescued by his countrymen.

— kyle smith, National Review, "Why Should Anyone Care What Mick Jagger Has to Say about Brexit?," 18 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'actor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of actor

15th century

actor Synonyms

Synonyms

impersonator, mummer, player, thesp, thespian, trouper

Antonyms

nonactor

Near Antonyms

bystander, looker-on, observer, onlooker, spectator, watcher; wallflower

ACTOR Defined for English Language Learners

actor

play

noun

Definition of actor for English Language Learners

: a person who acts in a play, movie, etc.

ACTOR Defined for Kids

actor

play

noun ac·tor \ ˈak-tər \

Definition of actor for Students

:a person who acts especially in a play or movie

Learn More about actor

See words that rhyme with actor Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for actor Spanish Central: Translation of actor Nglish: Translation of actor for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of actor for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about actor

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Definition of actor

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actorly

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Examples of actor in a Sentence

Recent Examples of actor from the Web

First Known Use of actor

actor Synonyms

Synonyms

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ACTOR Defined for English Language Learners

actor

Definition of actor for English Language Learners

ACTOR Defined for Kids

actor

Definition of actor for Students

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