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

Though when he’s finally seen in full evil flight, the actor is arguably allowed to wax a little too cute about it. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominated Boseman for a Best Actor Oscar at the 93rd Academy Awards, which took place eight months after the 43-year-old actor died from colon cancer. —Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026

In typical Wunmi Mosaku style, the actor refocuses her attention on the positives. —Kemi Alemoru, Glamour, 14 Mar. 2026

Bomer is a Golden Globe Award, Critics’ Choice Award winning and Emmy Award nominated actor for his role in The Normal Heart. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 14 Mar. 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