actress

[ ak-tris ]

noun

1. a woman who acts in stage plays, motion pictures, television broadcasts, etc., especially professionally.

actress

/ ˈæktrɪs /

noun

1. a woman who acts in a play, film, broadcast, etc
2. informal.
   a woman who puts on a false manner in order to deceive others

Usage

Use of the word actress to refer to a female who acts is old-fashioned. The modern gender-neutral form is actor

Gender Note

What's the difference between actress and actor? See -ess.

Word History and Origins

Origin of actress¹

First recorded in 1580–90; act(o)r + -ess

Example Sentences

Here are the stories of six other long-running daytime actors and actresses who have died in the past few years.

From New York Times

The show instantly established Danes, who was just 13 when she was cast in the pilot and earned an Emmy nomination for the role, as one of the finest actresses of her generation.

From Los Angeles Times

The “Curb Your Enthusiasm” actress took to Instagram to advertise her wellness brand’s Black Friday sale, posing in front of her showering husband to peddle discounted candles, body creams, and linen sprays.

From Salon

The actress, who has won two Oscars for her roles in The Aviator and Blue Jasmine, said she thought AI advancements were "experimentation for its own sake".

From BBC

In it, Streep’s character, a fading but indomitable Hollywood actress named Madeline Ashton, is reunited with her old friend, Hawn’s wallflower novelist Helen Sharp.

From New York Times

Related Words

• diva
• leading lady
• starlet