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

Continue reading … GOSPEL TRUTH — 'Office' actor praises Dem candidate's faith as 'achingly close to Jesus' Christianity'. — FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled new economic penalties and sanctions against Iran and the countries and foreign actors propping up the regime’s war machine. — Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 24 Aug. 2026

Kate O’Flynn has been a working actor for 20 years and, on this blinding August morning, is adjusting to the beginnings of her first-ever trip to Los Angeles. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026

TelevisaUnivision‘s award show is heading to Marbella and recognizing the Spanish actor for his impact on education, social action, and community development. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 24 Aug. 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