actor
noun
a person who acts in stage plays, motion pictures, television broadcasts, etc.
actor
1 American
[ak-ter]
/ ˈæk tər /
noun
-
actors
plural
-
a person who acts in stage plays, motion pictures, television broadcasts, etc.
-
a person who does something; participant.
Actor
2
American
[ak-ter]
/ ˈæk tər /
noun
Classical Mythology.
actor
British
/ ˈæktə /
noun
-
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 )
Usage
The term actor is almost universally used nowadays to refer to people of either gender who act
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of actor
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin āctor, equivalent to āg- ( see act) + -tor -tor
Explanation
If you act in a play, whether it's written by Shakespeare or your little brother, you can call yourself an actor. Some actors make films, and others are on TV. Traditionally, the noun actor referred to a male performer, while actress was used to describe a female. These days, it's become more common to use actor for players of any gender. You can also use the word to describe someone who participates in some action, or makes things happen in a particular area: "She was a real actor in the labor movement." In Latin, actor means both "doer" and "theatrical player."
Vocabulary lists containing actor
Academy Awards, List 3
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Just Do It: Act
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Literary Terms, Part I
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
If Holmes was indeed playing a character she made up, as many people speculated, she was a skilled method actor.
From Salon ● Oct. 17, 2026
A New Mexico judge on Friday ruled in favor of Emmy winner Timothy Busfield, tossing out multiple child sex abuse charges against the actor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
Her fellow actor Koji thinks it's a winning formula.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
A few years ago, singer and actor Joe Jonas partnered with Merz-owned Xeomin to appeal to both men and women.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
Though the two men argued, one Mercury actor recalled, “Bernard Herrmann knew exactly what Orson needed...and he delivered what Orson needed.”
From "Spooked!" by Gail Jarrow
Actor Josh Brolin has sold his sprawling Sandy Springs, Ga., estate for $4 million—a final sale price falling just under $1 million less than the original asking price of $4.999 million.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026
Actor Florence Pugh, Jaguar’s newly minted brand ambassador, schmoozed with design journalists, bloggers and online creators at a party later Tuesday to promote the Type 01.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Actor and presenter Craig Charles said his latest work had given him a chance to reflect on the city which shaped him.
From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026
Actor Dennis Haskins was a staple at the now-shuttered Dimples karaoke bar in Burbank — so much so that many patrons thought he owned it.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
Actor A had violated the rule of agreement.
From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell
Rather than using background actors, the film features real Puerto Rican residents, including a local activist and singer.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
As the Babydoll dance took hold of social media, Miller collaborated with an array of stars including actors Jennifer Love Hewitt, Lucy Hale and Julianne Hough, as well as popstar Meghan Trainor.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
As actors face growing concerns about their voice, body and likeness being used without consent or compensation, the storyline resonated with the actors.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
In a letter to director general Matt Brittin, actors, writers, directors and sound engineers argued that moving recordings away from the Midlands would have a "tangible impact" on the programme.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
“We love Delsie. She’s our people. We’re her supporting actors in life.”
From "Shouting at the Rain" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
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