actress

[ ak-tris ]

noun

1. a woman who acts in stage plays, motion pictures, television broadcasts, etc., especially professionally.

actress

/ ˈæktrɪs /

noun

1. a woman who acts in a play, film, broadcast, etc
2. informal.
   a woman who puts on a false manner in order to deceive others

Gender Note

What's the difference between actress and actor? See -ess.

Usage

Use of the word actress to refer to a female who acts is old-fashioned. The modern gender-neutral form is actor

Word History and Origins

Origin of actress¹

First recorded in 1580–90; act(o)r + -ess

Example Sentences

The This Is Us actress knows the value of institutional support.

From Essence.com

Something I learned during one of Camille’s photoshoots was that photographers back then would dose actresses in baby oil to make them shine!

From Essence.com

She’s an actress, choreographer, dancer, director, producer, singer-songwriter and the proud owner of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

From Ozy

The supporting actress trophy went to his co-star Annie Murphy.

From Fortune

The powerful series “Watchmen,” a graphic novel-adaptation steeped in racial pain, was voted best limited series and King won lead actress for her work on the HBO show.

From Fortune

Once upon a time, a girl named Onika Maraj dreamed of being an actress.

From The Daily Beast

We might have thought The Comeback was about a desperate actress's shameless struggle for fame.

From The Daily Beast

In another year, stories about the strange new face of an A-list actress might draw chortles and cackles.

From The Daily Beast

We recently saw that very thing with the new “Annie” movie because a black actress played Annie.

From The Daily Beast

The Oscar-winning actress put nude photo thieves in their place with one perfect statement.

From The Daily Beast

In a very thin house in the country, an actress spoke very low in her communication with her lover.

From Project Gutenberg

He was defendant in the breach of promise suit brought by a notorious London actress, then playing in a popular revue.

From Project Gutenberg

"She's a moving picture actress or something, I'm sure of it," Grace confided in Betty's unsympathetic ear.

From Project Gutenberg

I have seen her twice, and I must own she has made great progress as an actress since I heard her for the first time in Paris.

From Project Gutenberg

Cardot was the "protector" of the actress, Florentine, whom he discovered and started.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• diva
• leading lady
• starlet