Word
actress
Definition
n. a woman who acts in a movie, play, or television show.
n. a female person who portrays a character in a theatrical, cinematic, or televised production.
Examples
“The actress receives a standing ovation after her performance.”
“The lead actress spent three months studying the historical figure she was hired to portray.”
“While the term actress remains in common use for awards ceremonies, many performers now prefer the gender-neutral title of actor to emphasize professional parity.”
Examples
simple
“The actress receives a standing ovation after her performance.”
contextual
“The lead actress spent three months studying the historical figure she was hired to portray.”
complex
“While the term actress remains in common use for awards ceremonies, many performers now prefer the gender-neutral title of actor to emphasize professional parity.”
Usage
In modern professional contexts, 'actor' is often used for all genders, but 'actress' is still standard in casual speech and award categories.
Teaching tip
Note that many performers now prefer the gender-neutral 'actor'. However, 'actress' is not considered offensive and is still the dominant term in many contexts.
Etymology
From actor + -ess. Probably formed independently of Middle French actrice.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/actress
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0