Thespian

[thes-pee-uhn]

adjective

1. (often lowercase),  pertaining to tragedy or to the dramatic art in general.

2. of or characteristic of Thespis.

3. of or relating to Thespiae.

noun

1. (sometimes lowercase),  a tragedian; an actor or actress.

Thespian

/ ˈθɛspɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Thespis

2. (usually not capital) of or relating to drama and the theatre; dramatic

noun

1. facetious,  an actor or actress

Word History and Origins

Origin of Thespian¹

First recorded in 1665–75; Thespi(s) + -an

Example Sentences

That 1993 Oscar-nominated performance put the Irish thespian on the A-list.

From Los Angeles Times

The only wannabe thespian that day was Noem, who channeled her inner Evita when claiming that the deployment of nearly 5,000 National Guard troops and Marines to clamp down on L.A. activists trying to stop la migra from conducting immigration raids was necessary “to liberate this city from the socialist and burdensome leadership” of Gov. Gavin Newsom and L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

Yes — a thespian, all the way.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite his accomplishments, though, Fishburne still thinks of himself as a young thespian hoping to get his first break.

From Los Angeles Times

Undeterred by this vote of no confidence, both actors decamped to New York where they shared a flat with another aspiring thespian, Robert Duvall.

From BBC