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

Angela Bassett continues to thrive almost 40 years into her career, as the thespian just received her first Emmy Award. —Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 9 Sep. 2024

But the real voice, and the master thespian attached to it, has been silenced. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2024

Adjective

The former pro footballer turned thespian was eager to return to the pitch for State Farm despite his confusion over the ‘hybrid pigskin/soccer ball’ used in the campaign. —Nasha Smith, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024

Originally, the 2020 game was in first-person and had players exploring imaginative worlds full of bug philosophers, insect mob bosses and thespian arthropods. —Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1827, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 2