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

But the multi-hyphenate has also been making her Broadway rounds, supporting her fellow actors between her own projects. —Angel Saunders, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025

The British actor is back as the face of the timeless clothing capsule for the fourth consecutive season. —Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 3 Apr. 2025

According to voice actor Bernie Wagenblast, speaking for long durations, whether in the recording studio or standing at a podium, can feel like cheering during an exciting event such as a basketball game. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 Apr. 2025

Last year, actor Anthony Hill, who plays Dr. Ndugu, posted an Instagram photo with Swift's boyfriend Travis Kelce. —Bryan West, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025

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

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