actress

noun

ac·​tress ˈak-trəs 

: a woman or girl who is an actor

actressy

ˈak-trə-sē 

adjective

Examples of actress in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

She was nominated for and won the Academy Award for best supporting actress, as well as a Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild Award, Critics’ Choice Award, BAFTA Award, and Image Award, among many other accolades. — Joe Otterson, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026

The model and actress, 54, made her debut in Playboy in 1996 and returned to the magazine for its Summer 2026 issue 30 years later. — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2026

She was offered the role and took it, working alongside a Latina actress. — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

In 1977, actress Nichelle Nichols, who portrayed communications officer Uhura, was hired to recruit for NASA. — Deana L. Weibel, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

actor + -ess

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for actress

• benefactress

Kids Definition

actress

noun

ac·​tress ˈak-trəs 

: a woman or girl who acts especially in a play or movie or on television