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

• impersonator
• mummer
• player
• thesp
• thespian
• trouper

Example Sentences

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

Much to Jeong's delight, the rock & roll crustacean was revealed to be TV host, comedian, and actor Howie Mandel. —Lauren Huff, EW.com, 23 Feb. 2023

After making history as the first transgender actor to win a Golden Globe, for her role in Pose, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez is just getting started. —Krystyna Chavez, Glamour, 23 Feb. 2023

Baldwin remains an actor in the movie as well as a producer. —Julia Johnson, Washington Examiner, 23 Feb. 2023

With that, Mescal gains entry into one of Hollywood’s most exclusive and illustrious clubs: 26-year-old best actor nominees. —Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Feb. 2023

One snippet sounded like actor Emma Watson reading from Hitler’s Mein Kampf. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2023

For a period of the evening, they are also seen hanging out with actor Tom Sturridge, according to People. —Harper's BAZAAR, 22 Feb. 2023

Lead actor Brenda Blethyn, who portrays Inspector Stanhope, is a joy to watch, and over a decade of production means there’s plenty of backlog to enjoy. —Josh Sargent, Men's Health, 22 Feb. 2023

Scottish actor Brian Cox, 75, was on the cover of a digital British GQ spinoff called GQ Hype in October 2021. —Vulture, 21 Feb. 2023

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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

• character actor
• co-actor

• character actor
• co-actor

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