actor
[ak-ter]
- a person who acts in stage plays, motion pictures, television broadcasts, etc.
- a person who does something; participant.
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Origin of actor
Actor
[ak-ter]
- a brother of King Augeas, sometimes believed to be the father, by Molione, of Eurytus and Cteatus.
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Compare Moliones.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
starartistcharacterclownplayervillaincomedianentertainerperformerthespianimpersonatoramateurhamleadextraunderstudymimicfoilmimeidolExamples from the Web for actor
Contemporary Examples
David Prowse, the actor who portrayed Darth Vader, wished to come back but had to turn down the role because of ill health.
Juiciest ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Rumors (and Some Debunked Ones)Rich Goldstein
January 3, 2015
In a bizarre matchup, the Pirates of the Caribbean actor came for the 20-year-old singer this past July in Ibiza.
I actually found it quite pleasurable, and it prepared me for this strange, gypsy lifestyle of an actor.
Jena Malone’s Long, Strange Trip From Homelessness to Hollywood StardomMarlow Stern
December 22, 2014
And the actor says his childhood experience plays a critical role in his performance.
The actor recalls an incident when his daughter was younger.
Historical Examples
One common grave, according to Garrick, covers the actor and his art.
De Libris: Prose and VerseAustin Dobson
It was all in his favour that he should have been forced at first to win his spurs as an actor.
The Man ShakespeareFrank Harris
Could anything be more dull than the life of an actor in a repertory theatre?
The Foolish LoversSt. John G. Ervine
All these actor cheps know it, so of course 'e'd 'a' known abaht it, too.
The Foolish LoversSt. John G. Ervine
Montigny had been an actor, and was plump and good-humoured.
My Double LifeSarah Bernhardt
actor
- a person who acts in a play, film, broadcast, etc
- informal a person who puts on a false manner in order to deceive others (often in the phrase bad actor)
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usage
The term actor is almost universally used nowadays to refer to people of either gender who act
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for actor
n.
late 14c., "an overseer, guardian, steward," from Latin actor "an agent or doer," also "theatrical player," from past participle stem of agere (see act (n.)). Mid-15c. as "a doer, maker," also "a plaintiff." Sense of "one who performs in plays" is 1580s, originally applied to both men and women.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper