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

The actress, whose latest dark comedy series “Based on a True Story” is now streaming on Peacock, lives with Pelphrey, their daughter Matilda and a host of farm animals on a ranch outside Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

The Hollywood actress had a double mastectomy in 2013 to reduce her risk of cancer after her mother had died from the disease.

From BBC

Hollywood actress Eva Longoria has revealed that her family no longer lives in the United States, and is splitting time between Mexico and Spain.

From BBC

One of Manson's young followers, Susan Atkins, stabbed Tate to death and scrawled "PIG" on the home's front door with the actress's blood.

From BBC

The Manson Family killed nine people including the heavily pregnant Hollywood actress Sharon Tate, wife of Roman Polanski.

From BBC

Related Words

• diva
• leading lady
• starlet