thespian

1 of 2

noun

thes·​pi·​an ˈthe-spē-ən 

: actor

thespian

2 of 2

adjective

1

often capitalized [from the tradition that Thespis was the originator of the actor's role] : relating to the drama : dramatic

2

capitalized : of or relating to Thespis

Did you know?

Greek drama was originally entirely performed by choruses. According to tradition, the Greek dramatist Thespis, of the 6th century B.C., was the inventor of tragedy and the first to write roles for the individual actor as distinct from the chorus, and the actor's exchanges with the chorus were the first dramatic dialogue. Since Thespis himself performed the individual parts in his own plays, he was also the first true actor. Ever since choruses disappeared from drama, thespians have filled all the roles in plays. Thespian is also an adjective; thus, we can speak of "thespian ambitions" and "thespian traditions", for example.

Synonyms

Noun

• actor
• impersonator
• mummer
• player
• thesp
• trouper

Examples of thespian in a Sentence

Noun

a renowned thespian and director

although she's “acted” in a couple of horror movies, I'd hardly call her one of our more promising thespians

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

For a long time, these thespians weren't allowed to promote projects in the same ways actors in Hollywood are typically carted out. —EW.com, 12 Mar. 2025

Colman is one of those rare gifted thespians, such as Dirk Bogarde, who are uniquely and keenly aware that the camera can read thoughts. —Mark Holgate, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025

Adjective

The eerie thing—something that returns to me from my thespian childhood—is that the true reward of the stage isn’t laughter or applause, welcome as those are. —Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 14 May 2025

In fact, the Felicity alum surprised her at the New York premiere of her latest project, Shadow Force on May 2. Foley has been married to fellow thespian Marika Domińczyk since 2007. —Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 10 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1827, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 2