acting

1 of 2

noun

act·​ing ˈak-tiŋ How to pronounce acting (audio)
: the art or practice of representing a character on a stage or before cameras

acting

2 of 2

adjective

1
: holding a temporary rank or position : performing services temporarily
acting president
2
a
: suitable for stage performance
an acting play
b
: prepared with directions for actors
an acting text of a play

Examples of acting in a Sentence

Noun Her acting is unusually good in this film. a new style of acting Adjective The college's acting president will be replaced with a permanent one next fall. will serve as acting president of the university until a permanent replacement can be found
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.
Noun
Nearly 30 years since his last onscreen acting gig, Rick Moranis is expected to reprise his role as Dark Helmet from 1987’s Spaceballs. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2025 His second major acting break was announced following his role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s 2017 film Phantom Thread. Katherine Schaffstall, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Leanne Kao, a city engineer and acting project manager, gave an update on plans to upgrade Dusty Rhodes Park, just south of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard from Robb Field. Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Sep. 2025 Under the terms of the relevant statute, Lake does not appear to be eligible to fill the chief executive position on an acting basis. David Folkenflik, NPR, 26 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for acting

Word History

Etymology

Noun

from gerund of act entry 2

Adjective

from present participle of act entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1590, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of acting was in 1590

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Acting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acting. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

acting

adjective
act·​ing
ˈak-tiŋ
: serving temporarily or in place of another
acting president

More from Merriam-Webster on acting

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