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

• impersonator
• mummer
• player
• thesp
• thespian
• trouper

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

What other characters will be featured on 'NCIS: Tony and Ziva'? Paramount+ announced a slew of other actors and characters for the series on Monday. —Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 16 July 2024

The 51-year-old actor — who played Sikking’s on-screen son on the ABC medical sitcom from 1989 to 1993 — shared his memories of working with the Emmy nominee in a heartfelt Instagram tribute. —Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 15 July 2024

The production also announced the addition of three more actors to the season five cast: Nell Fisher, Jake Connelly and Alex Breaux. —James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 July 2024

Richard Simmons wasn’t an actor or a model or a musician or an author or an athlete. —Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2024

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

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