actress

noun

ac·​tress ˈak-trəs How to pronounce actress (audio)
Synonyms of actressnext
: a woman or girl who is an actor
actressy adjective

Examples of actress in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The actress isn't shy about expressing her love for Leach on Instagram. Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026 Michael Reagan, the son of President Ronald Reagan and his first wife, the actress Jane Wyman, has died at the age of 80. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Jan. 2026 Last May, Allen married actress Hailee Steinfeld. Dan Pompei, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026 At one point, the actress became hyper-focused on social media posts after feeling detached from the group. Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for actress

Word History

Etymology

actor + -ess

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of actress was in 1586

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Actress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/actress. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

actress

noun
ac·​tress ˈak-trəs How to pronounce actress (audio)
: a woman or girl who acts especially in a play or movie or on television

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