Actor: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŽญ
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actor

 

[ หˆรฆktษ™r ]

Context #1 | Noun

performing arts

A person who performs in plays, movies, or television shows, typically portraying a character.

Synonyms

actress, performer, player, thespian.

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Word Description / Examples
actor

This term is generally used to refer to someone who performs in movies, TV shows, or theater. It is gender-neutral and can refer to both men and women.

  • Leonardo DiCaprio is a famous actor
  • She dreams of becoming an actor one day
performer

This term is broadly used to describe someone who entertains an audience through acting, singing, dancing, or other forms of performance art. It does not specify the type of entertainment.

  • The street performer amazed the crowd with his juggling skills
  • She is a multi-talented performer
thespian

This term is a more formal or literary way to refer to an actor or actress, often used to emphasize the craft and seriousness of acting.

  • She studied the techniques of ancient thespians
  • The thespian's performance left the audience in awe
actress

This term specifically refers to a female who performs in movies, TV shows, or theater. It may be considered outdated or less preferable in some contexts due to preference for gender-neutral language.

  • Meryl Streep is a renowned actress
  • The actress won an award for her outstanding performance
player

This term is often used in the context of theater and can sometimes refer to members of a sports team. It's less common in modern usage for actors but can be found in classical or dramatic contexts.

  • The player delivered his lines with great emotion
  • He is a key player in the football team

Examples of usage

  • He is a talented actor who has appeared in numerous films.
  • The actress and the actor had great chemistry on stage.
Context #2 | Noun

deception

A person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others.

Synonyms

deceiver, impostor, pretender.

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Word Description / Examples
actor

This term is generally used to refer to someone who performs in movies, television, theater, or any other performing arts. It has a neutral connotation.

  • He is a famous actor in Hollywood movies.
  • She has been an actor in the local theater for years.
impostor

This term is used for someone who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others. It also carries a negative connotation.

  • The impostor was caught pretending to be a doctor.
  • She felt betrayed when she realized he was an impostor.
pretender

This word refers to someone who claims to be something they are not, often used in a negative sense, but not as strong as 'impostor' or 'deceiver'.

  • He was just a pretender, claiming to know about the subject.
  • She saw through his act and knew he was a pretender.
deceiver

This word is used to describe someone who lies or tricks people. It has a strong negative connotation.

  • He was known as a deceiver who would say anything to get what he wanted.
  • The deceiver tricked everyone into believing his story.

Examples of usage

  • The con artist was a master actor, fooling many with his disguises.
  • She put on her best actor face to hide her true emotions.
Context #3 | Noun

mechanical device

A mechanism that causes something to happen or operate.

Synonyms

agent, mechanism, operator.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
actor

An individual who performs in plays, movies, or television shows.

  • He is a famous actor known for his role in the blockbuster movie
agent

A person who acts on behalf of another, especially in business or legal matters, or a representative of an artist, performer, or athlete.

  • Her agent negotiated a lucrative contract for her latest film
operator

A person who operates machinery or equipment, or a person who manages a business operation.

  • The crane operator expertly moved the heavy beams into place
mechanism

A system of parts working together in a machine, or a process or technique for achieving a result.

  • The locking mechanism on the door was very secure

Examples of usage

  • The thermostat acts as an actor in controlling the temperature of the room.
  • The actor in the machine triggered the release of the product.

Translations

Translations of the word "actor" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น ator

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคญเคฟเคจเฅ‡เคคเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Schauspieler

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ aktor

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฐะบั‚ะพั€

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ aktor

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ไฟณๅ„ช (haiyลซ)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท acteur

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ actor

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท aktรถr

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฐฐ์šฐ (baeu)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ู…ุซู„

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ herec

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ herec

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆผ”ๅ‘˜ (yวŽnyuรกn)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ igralec

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ leikari

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐะบั‚ะตั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒกแƒแƒฎแƒ˜แƒแƒ‘แƒ˜ (msakhiobi)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ aktyor

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ actor

Etymology

The word 'actor' originated in Middle English from the Latin word 'actor', which means 'doer' or 'performer'. Initially, it referred to a person who performs actions or deeds. Over time, the term evolved to specifically denote someone who performs in plays, movies, or television shows.

See also: act, acting, action, actionable, activate, active, actively, activists, activity, actress, acts, actual, counteractant, enact, inactivity, overact, react, transact.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,139 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.