DictionaryAI

actor

noun
AK-tur/ˈæk.tɚ/UKAK-tuh/ˈak.tə(ɹ)/

Pluralactors

7 meanings of actor

Practice

  1. 1
    performernouncountable
    A person who performs a part in a play, movie, or TV show.

    Like someone who pretends to be a different person so others can watch the story.

    The lead actor forgot his lines during the final scene.

    Several actors auditioned for the small but memorable role.

    UsageA woman can be an actor too; actress is also still used.

    Similarperformer, player

    Note
  2. 2
    participantnouncountable
    A person or thing that takes part in something that happens.

    Like a player in a game: anyone who takes part and makes things happen.

    Every actor in the conflict shared part of the blame.

    The main actors in the deal were two large companies.

    UsageSay an actor in something: the main actors in the deal.

    Similarparticipant, player, party, agent

    Note
  3. 3
    nouncountable
    In grammar, the person or thing doing the action that a verb describes.

    Like finding out who did something when you ask "who did it?"

    In "Maria kicked the ball," Maria is the actor.

    Children learn to spot the actor before naming the action in a sentence.

    Similaragent

    Oppositepatient, undergoer

    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin āctor meaning "doer", from agō "to do". It came into English through French.

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 3 facts