actor

noun

A person who acts a part in a theatrical play or (later) in film or television; a dramatic performer.

Someone or something that takes part in some action; a doer, an agent.

(grammar) The subject performing the action of a verb.

(software engineering) The entity that performs a role (in use case analysis).

(obsolete, law) Someone who institutes a legal suit; a plaintiff or complainant.

(obsolete) Someone acting on behalf of someone else; a guardian.

(obsolete, Ancient Rome) An advocate or proctor in civil courts or causes.

Roots

agoact- · Latin · do, drive

Synonyms for actor

thespianadj actressn performern doern troupern monologistn theatricaladj barnstormern executantn producern

Synonyms & related words for actor

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of actor — including thespian, actress, performer, doer, trouper, monologist. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to actor

Explore words related to actor — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include tragedienne, stagestruck, starring, melodramatist, costar, gagman, tragedian, screenwriter. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for actor

Common synonyms for actor include thespian, actress, performer, doer, trouper, monologist, theatrical, barnstormer — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does actor come from?

The word actor breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root act-, from Latin ago (“do, drive”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.