actress

noun

ac·​tress ˈak-trəs How to pronounce actress (audio)
: a woman or girl who is an actor
actressy adjective

Examples of actress in a Sentence

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.
The actress was recently spotted in Midtown Manhattan, looking like a polished New Yorker in black wide-leg pants with a unique button-up shirt tucked into the waistband. Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 27 June 2025 The Australian actress has been nominated for eight Academy Awards and won twice (for Martin Scorsese’s The Aviator and Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine), and has also been nominated for two Emmys (Mrs. America) and has won four Golden Globes from 13 nominations. Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 June 2025 Studio reps launched an official investigation, speaking to the actress in question and others involved in Cobra Kai’s Season 6 production. Nick Caruso, TVLine, 27 June 2025 The actress completed her look with open-toe mules from the brand Paris Texas. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for actress

Word History

Etymology

actor + -ess

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of actress was in 1586

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Actress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/actress. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

actress

noun
ac·​tress ˈak-trəs How to pronounce actress (audio)
: a woman or girl who acts especially in a play or movie or on television

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