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

---

Etymology

Origin of actressy

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

actressy

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 ● Jul. 29, 2020

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 ● Aug. 16, 2018

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

From Washington Post ● Nov. 8, 2016

That’s a challenge with Ms. Turnbull’s strained, actressy performance, which strikes a note of shrill desperation from the moment she arrives at the Beacon Hill town house.

From New York Times ● Mar. 7, 2012

And not a bit stagey or actressy, and rather what you call an uncut diamond—a gem in her way, but not fine beur, not exactly.

From The Judgment House by Parker, Gilbert