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

Biden — who joined a UAW picket line in Michigan during the union’s strike against Ford, GM and Stellantis plants last year — praised the success of unions representing autoworkers, Hollywood actors and writers, health care workers and others in gaining better contracts. —David Koenig, Fortune, 22 Apr. 2024

Tramell Tillman — the actor who broke out in popular Apple series Severance — has landed a role in the eighth Mission: Impossible film. —Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Apr. 2024

Amid his latest movies, actor Henry Cavill is expecting his first child with entertainment executive Natalite Viscuso, according to the Los Angeles Times. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 22 Apr. 2024

As the titular character, Reedus will aim for a lead drama actor nod, while his co-star Clémence Poésy, who plays nun Isabelle Carriere, being considered for a supporting mention. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 22 Apr. 2024

The actor had spent the previous 24 hours celebrating her daughter Suri Cruise’s 18th birthday, an event that prompted the internet to swiftly dub the Hollywood neophyte an ‘It’ girl on the rise. —Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2024

In October 2020, seemingly affectionate photos of West and James were released online, prompting speculation of an affair between the actors. —USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024

Harry Potter fans will recognize the actor as Nearly Headless Nick in the first two films of the popular Hogwarts saga. —Andrew Walsh, EW.com, 21 Apr. 2024

Austin has followed in his dad’s footsteps and made his mark in the entertainment industry as both an actor and a musician and composer. —Jane Lacroix, Peoplemag, 21 Apr. 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