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actressy

American  
[ak-truh-see] / ˈæk trə si /

adjective

  1. self-consciously stagy in style or manner; exaggeratedly theatrical.

    an actressy reading that distorted the character of Ophelia.


actressy British  
/ ˈæktrɪsɪ /

adjective

  1. exaggerated and affected in manner; theatrical

"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

Etymology

Origin of actressy

First recorded in 1895–1900; actress + -y 1

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.

In other words, it’s the sort of big, actressy transformation that awards voters flock to like catnip, and if someone like Charlize Theron or Michelle Williams had de-glammed to play Leslie, there likely would have been Oscar buzz from the beginning.

From New York Times

At my toughest moments — it sounds very dramatic and actressy — but I would try to summon her in my funny little beige plastic-lined trailer.

From Los Angeles Times

Now 71, Close has referred to herself in interviews as a “late bloomer”, which may seem like actressy faux-modesty about a career that was hardly in the murk 30 years ago.

From The Guardian

Try to think of great actressy moments in the cinema and the memory veers towards heartbreak more than happiness or fulfilment.

From The Guardian

She had, one editor recalled, “a particularly actressy voice.”

From Washington Post