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
• actress
• performer

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

Two of the leads hated each other — the British stage actor thought the scruffy newcomer was a snot-nosed punk, and his younger co-star felt the veteran thespian was a drunk with a superiority complex. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2025

Upcoming installments will include such lauded thespians as Kathy Bates and Jonathan Pryce. —Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 June 2025

Adjective

Chapel takes to the job in grand thespian style, playing characters, improvising and analyzing motives through character analysis. —Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025

The thespian arts, as noted earlier, are in his blood. —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 20 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1827, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 2