actor

Pronunciation: /ˈæk.tɚ/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a theatrical performer
  2. noun a person who acts and gets things done

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English actour, from Anglo-Norman actor, Middle French actor, and their source, Latin āctor (“doer”), from agō (“to do”). Equivalent to act + -or. Cognate with Ancient Greek ἄκτωρ (áktōr, “leader”), from ἄγω (ágō, “lead, carry, convey, bring”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

histrion, player, thespian, role player

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
performer
Narrower (hyponyms)
understudy, ingenue, screen actor, barnstormer, heavy, ham

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