actor

¹

[ ak-ter ]

noun

1. a person who acts in stage plays, motion pictures, television broadcasts, etc.
2. a person who does something; participant.

Actor

²

[ ak-ter ]

noun

, Classical Mythology.

1. a brother of King Augeas, sometimes believed to be the father, by Molione, of Eurytus and Cteatus.

actor

/ ˈæktə /

noun

1. a person who acts in a play, film, broadcast, etc
2. informal.
   a person who puts on a false manner in order to deceive others (often in the phrase bad actor )

Usage

The term actor is almost universally used nowadays to refer to people of either gender who act

Other Words From

• non·actor noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of actor¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin āctor, equivalent to āg- ( act ) + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

BEST ACTOR Joaquin Phoenix, Inherent Vice There is no better actor—right now—than Joaquin Phoenix.

From The Daily Beast

But I had won the British Award, Best Foreign Actor, so I went.

From The Daily Beast

David Prowse, the actor who portrayed Darth Vader, wished to come back but had to turn down the role because of ill health.

From The Daily Beast

In a bizarre matchup, the Pirates of the Caribbean actor came for the 20-year-old singer this past July in Ibiza.

From The Daily Beast

I actually found it quite pleasurable, and it prepared me for this strange, gypsy lifestyle of an actor.

From The Daily Beast

He was a bookbinder previous to going upon the stage; and acquired a high degree of reputation as an actor.

From Project Gutenberg

The actor, whose name was Taylor, could not remember the name assigned to him in his part of the play.

From Project Gutenberg

Had the actor memorised either of these Correlations, he would not have forgotten Numitorius in his performance.

From Project Gutenberg

He remembered Tony's words later: that another actor was expected with whose entry the piece would turn more real—turn tragic.

From Project Gutenberg

What actor could play Falstaff after riding forty miles and being well thrashed?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• artist
• character
• clown
• comedian
• entertainer
• performer
• player
• star
• villain