actress

American  

[ak-tris] / ˈæk trɪs /

noun

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

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actress British  

/ 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

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Usage

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

Gender

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

Etymology

Origin of actress

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

Example Sentences

Meanwhile, Aniston’s connection to the material — the veteran actress has said that she and McCurdy “had very similar moms” — was key to casting her in the matriarch role.

From Los Angeles Times

Anthony Underwood, a family member of the actress, confirmed the death in a social media post asking for privacy.

From Los Angeles Times

There, she lived with a woman, the Shakespearean actress Charlotte Cushman; the book throughout refers to the pair as wives.

From The Wall Street Journal

The seasoned comic this past year made an appearance in Mary Bronstein’s “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” whose star Rose Byrne is likely to receive a nod in the actress category.

From Los Angeles Times

It released an image of the actress wearing the fictional archaeologist's green tank top and brown shorts - a look inspired by the character's appearance in the classic Lara Croft games on the original PlayStation.

From BBC

Related Words

• diva
• leading lady
• starlet