acting

1 of 2

noun

act·​ing ˈak-tiŋ 

: 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

Synonyms

Adjective

• interim

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

Noun

Having kids shifted Steve's perspective on his acting. —Emily Tannenbaum, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Their sacrifices opened a world of experiences to me, including studying abroad, performing with acting and dance troupes all over Europe, and eventually translating Italian TV scripts for a Georgian channel—all before college. —Tamar Gakharia, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Adjective

Aside from his cameo on Fuller House, Ewing's most recent acting credit was in 2017's A Very Sordid Wedding, the sequel to the cult hit Sordid Lives starring the late Olivia Newton-John. —Keith Langston, People.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Outside of the ring, her first major acting role was in MGM’s Fighting With My Family, opposite Florence Pugh and produced by Dwayne Johnson and his Seven Bucks Entertainment. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 31 July 2025

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

Phrases Containing acting

• long-acting reversible contraception
• long-acting reversible contraceptive
• self-acting

Rhymes for acting

• abstracting
• attracting
• coacting
• compacting
• contacting
• detracting
• distracting
• enacting
• exacting
• extracting
• impacting
• reacting

Kids Definition

acting

adjective

act·​ing

ˈak-tiŋ

: serving temporarily or in place of another

acting president