actress

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From actor +‎ -ess.

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈak.tɹəs/, /ˈak.tɹɪs/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈæk.tɹəs/

Noun

actress (plural actresses, masculine actor)

  1. A female who performs on the stage or in films. [from 17th c.]
    • 2011, "Not going quietly", The Economist, 27 Jan 2011:
      Court documents appear to show that Ian Edmondson, a senior News of the World journalist, had authorised Mr Mulcaire to hack phones belonging to Sienna Miller, an actress.
  2. (now rare) A female doer or "actor" (in a general sense). [from 16th c.]
    • 1796, Matthew Lewis, The Monk, Folio Society 1985, p. 290:
      My mental anguish, and the dreadful scenes in which I had been an actress, advanced the period of my labour.

Usage notes
  • Actor may also be used to refer to a female player.

Translations
female actor — See also translations at actor

Anagrams

Scots

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈaktrəs/

Noun

actress (plural actresses)

  1. actress

References
This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.