thespian

1 of 2

noun

thes·​pi·​an ˈthe-spē-ən 

: actor

thespian

2 of 2

adjective

1

often capitalized [from the tradition that Thespis was the originator of the actor's role] : relating to the drama : dramatic

2

capitalized : of or relating to Thespis

Did you know?

Greek drama was originally entirely performed by choruses. According to tradition, the Greek dramatist Thespis, of the 6th century B.C., was the inventor of tragedy and the first to write roles for the individual actor as distinct from the chorus, and the actor's exchanges with the chorus were the first dramatic dialogue. Since Thespis himself performed the individual parts in his own plays, he was also the first true actor. Ever since choruses disappeared from drama, thespians have filled all the roles in plays. Thespian is also an adjective; thus, we can speak of "thespian ambitions" and "thespian traditions", for example.

Synonyms

Noun

• actor
• impersonator
• mummer
• player
• thesp
• trouper

Examples of thespian in a Sentence

Noun

a renowned thespian and director

although she's “acted” in a couple of horror movies, I'd hardly call her one of our more promising thespians

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In 2024, the legendary thespian and director garnered rave reviews for his role in the epic Gladiator sequel, which has become the highest-grossing film of his career, as its surpassed over $320 million worldwide. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 6 Jan. 2025

Easy to forget, but more than a year after the actors strike ended, there’s still one group of scrappy thespians battling their employers: Video game voice performers have yet to come to terms with many of the gaming companies, including Activision, owner of the Call of Duty franchise. —Benjamin Svetkey and Julian Sancton, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Jan. 2025

Adjective

The people in her vicinity, the lights overhead, the bones of the building itself — all rapt with keen attention when her booming voice echoes through the air, commanding attention as wide as the space stretches or as intimately pointed as whatever wise words slip off her thespian tongue. —EW.com, 7 Jan. 2025

Isabella Robinson: Wilson Central High School Isabella Robinson, a 12th grader at Wilson Central High School in Lebanon, serves as the Vice President of the school’s thespian society. —Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1827, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 2