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 of actor

• actress
• performer
• entertainer
• thespian

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 on the Web

The English dialogue for these films was often absurd and barely coherent, written to conform to the movements of the actors’ mouths. — Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026

Panettiere’s polarizing boyfriend Brian Hickerson is said to be cooperating with authorities investigating the actor’s death. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 16 Sep. 2026

The Fox telecast was delayed several months due to the strikes by actors and writers in 2023. — Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

The actor is repped by Independent Artist Group and Untitled Entertainment. — Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026

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

• bad actor
• character actor
• co-actor
• method actor

Rhymes for actor

• acter
• factor
• tractor
• attractor
• cofactor
• compactor
• contactor
• contractor
• distractor
• extractor
• impactor
• protractor

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