thespian

play

noun thes·pi·an \ ˈthes-pē-ən \

Definition of thespian

:actor

See thespian defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of thespian from the Web

Its subject looms large in our cultural memory while remaining a limited thespian whose go-to move was leaning forward, iron jaw extended, as if forever contemplating where to get a good steak.

— colin fleming, The Christian Science Monitor, "'Charlton Heston' is a voluminous, possibly definitive, study of a Hollywood paragon of masculinity," 28 Aug. 2017
Since mid-June, almost 30 budding thespians have been rehearsing under the direction of Laurel resident Michael Hartsfield and returning Playhouse musical director Mimi McGinniss.

— patti restivo, Laurel Leader, "'Into the Woods Jr.' a G-rated pleasure at Laurel Mill Playhouse," 10 Aug. 2017
And all hail Ethiopian-Irish thespian Ruth Negga as Jesse’s pancake-making grifter girlfriend Tulip.

— marc silver, ajc, "AMC’s ‘Preacher’ offers up some unholy terrors," 1 Aug. 2017
Orenstein has maintained her passion for helping young thespians fulfill their dreams since the fall of 1972, when Jim Rouse invited her to set up her drama school in Columbia's Talbot Springs neighborhood.

— carolyn kelemen, Columbia Flier, "Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts celebrates 45 years with reunion, free performance," 22 June 2017
Mad TV,’ has morphed into a thespian of elevated dramatic flair by playing the infamous trickster god based on Anansi — the African folklore character.

— karu f. daniels, NBC News, "The Bespoke Trickster: How Orlando Jones Landed ‘American Gods’," 18 June 2017
Baywatch was so poorly acted that its oily thespians could be seen to be inventing, frame by frame, a novel strain of camp.

— megan garber, The Atlantic, "In the End, We Got the Baywatch We Deserved," 25 May 2017
And the workmen’s bumbling skit about another lovestruck couple (the mythic Pyramus and Thisbe) triggers surefire laughs — especially for Sieber’s enthusiastic thespian Bottom, who is Falstaffian in his zest and lust.

— misha berson, The Seattle Times, "Review: Seattle Shakes’ ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is missing some of its magic," 12 May 2017
The amateur thespians recall details of JonBenét's death, though not everyone's speech is dripping with confidence or certainty.

— erin jensen, USA TODAY, "What to know before diving into Netflix's 'Casting JonBenet'," 28 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'thespian.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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.