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.
Mary Beth Hurt, the actress known for roles in The Age of Innocence and Six Degrees of Separation, has died. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 29 Mar. 2026 The actress says the free assessment helped detect her cancer early. Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026 Raised in Iowa, where one of her babysitters was future actress Jean Seberg, Hurt made her big-screen debut in Interiors (1978), Woody Allen’s first full foray into drama. Chris Koseluk, HollywoodReporter, 29 Mar. 2026 Norris Church Mailer became a model, actress and author after moving to New York to be with renowned writer Norman Mailer following their chance meeting in Arkansas at an event in Russellville. Arkansas Online, 28 Mar. 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 1 Apr. 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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