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.

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actressy British  

/ ˈæktrɪsɪ /

adjective

1. exaggerated and affected in manner; theatrical

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Etymology

Origin of actressy

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

Example Sentences

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

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

From Washington Post • Nov. 8, 2016

Jane was tall and stately, with a deep, old-fashioned, actressy voice.

From The Guardian • Jan. 30, 2016

Ms. Sherman had already completed her now-classic “Film Stills,” dressing up in actressy guises and musing on the malleability of female identity.

From New York Times • Jun. 26, 2015

Mrs. Lynde said she was very pretty but kind of actressy looking, and must have been an awful lot younger than father.

From Anne of Avonlea by Montgomery, L. M. (Lucy Maud)