actor
actor Lexical Profile
actor Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A person whose profession is acting on the stage, in movies, or on television.
"The lead actor delivered a moving soliloquy that captivated the entire theater audience."
A participant in an action, process, or political affair.
"Non-governmental organizations have become influential actors in international climate negotiations."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'actress' specifically denotes a female performer, 'actor' is increasingly used in modern professional contexts as a gender-neutral term for performers of any gender.
• Rhymes for actor
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Latin 'actor' ('doer, driver, agent, theatrical player'), from the verb 'agere' ('to set in motion, drive, do, or perform'). Originally used in Middle English for an agent or manager, it acquired its primary theatrical sense in the late 16th century.