actress
Americannoun
noun
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a woman who acts in a play, film, broadcast, etc
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informal a woman who puts on a false manner in order to deceive others
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
Vocabulary lists containing actress
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.
It’s been quite a long time since I used it myself, but if I were to apply it to an actress’ performance I adored, certain criteria would need to be met.
From Salon • May 10, 2026
The actress’ property spans an impressive 9,000 square feet and features six bedrooms and eight bathrooms.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 4, 2026
Bardot's only son Nicolas-Jacques Charrier was among those carrying the coffin to the cemetery where the actress' parents and first husband Roger Vadim are buried.
From BBC • Jan. 7, 2026
“It all began with ‘Linnea Quigley’s Horror Workout,’” says Lea, who designed the piece in homage to the B-movie actress’ underground classic.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 30, 2025
And yet in spite of her mistrust the actress' vehement words found an echo in the depths of her own heart.
From The Elusive Pimpernel by Orczy, Emmuska Orczy, Baroness
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
