actor

noun

ac·​tor ˈak-tər 

also -ˌtȯr

1

: one that acts : doer

2

a

: one who acts in a play, movie, television show, etc.

b

: one who behaves as if acting a part

3

: one that takes part in any affair : participant

political actors

actorish

ˈak-tə-rish 

adjective

actorly

ˈak-tər-lē 

adjective

Synonyms of actor

• actress
• performer
• entertainer
• thespian

Examples of actor in a Sentence

my sister went to drama school to become an actor

Benjamin Franklin was a major actor in many of the events leading up to the founding of our nation.

Recent Examples on the Web

Bannister’s wife, Gigi, told TMZ that the actor died peacefully at their home in the San Bernardino County mountains early Sunday. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, joins media personality Kourtney Kardashian, actor Rebel Wilson and actor Florence Pugh, among others, in sharing plans to freeze eggs. — Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

Comedian, actor, and entertainer Bill Bellamy will be presented with the Icon Award at the 2026 Whats Funny Comedy Festival, recognizing his decades of excellence and impact on stand-up comedy and entertainment. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 11 Aug. 2026

The actor appeared on a single episode of the drama, while Seehorn serves as (and won an Emmy for her performance as) its star. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English actour "doer, pleader," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin āctor, from agere "to drive (cattle), cause to move, do" + -tor, agent suffix — more at agent

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing actor

• bad actor
• character actor
• co-actor
• Method actor

Rhymes for actor

• acter
• factor
• tractor
• attractor
• cofactor
• compactor
• contactor
• contractor
• distractor
• extractor
• impactor
• protractor

Kids Definition

actor

noun

ac·​tor ˈak-tər 

: one that acts

especially : a person who acts especially in a play or movie or on television