acting

1 of 2

noun

act·​ing ˈak-tiŋ How to pronounce acting (audio)
: 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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
President Donald Trump replaced King as acting commissioner with Leland Dudek, who has led Social Security's anti-fraud office, according to the Washington Post, which first reported King's exit. Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025 The Social Security Administration’s acting commissioner has stepped down after refusing to provide Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with access to sensitive information, according to multiple reports. Alexx Altman-Devilbiss, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Following Gascón’s historic nomination as the first openly trans person up for an acting Oscar, the actress has been plagued with controversy around previous racist tweets. Glenn Garner, Deadline, 6 Feb. 2025 The strategist said that was especially important in the case of Gascón, who, as the first openly trans person nominated for an acting Oscar, had a target on her back. Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 31 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for acting

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of acting was in 1590

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Cite this Entry

“Acting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acting. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

acting

adjective
act·​ing
ˈak-tiŋ
: serving temporarily or in place of another
acting president

More from Merriam-Webster on acting

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