actress

The word “actress” means a woman who performs roles in plays, films, or television shows. In plain terms, a female performer in film, television, or theater.

“Actress” is pronounced AK-trihs (/ˈæk.tɹɪs/ in IPA).

Here is “actress” used in a sentence: “The actress won an award for her performance in the drama.”

Words with a similar meaning to “actress” include actorine and actrice.

“Actress” is a noun.

“Actress” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

Traditionally 'actress' referred to a woman and 'actor' to a man in the same profession. Today many performers and awards use 'actor' for everyone regardless of gender, treating it as neutral. 'Actress' is still widely used and understood, but the trend is toward the single word 'actor' for all.

Yes, 'actress' remains correct and common, especially in award categories like Best Actress and in everyday speech. That said, a growing number of women in the profession prefer to be called 'actor', viewing it as gender-neutral. Both are acceptable; the choice increasingly comes down to personal and industry preference.

An actress needs the craft of convincingly playing a character: memorising lines, conveying emotion, and reacting truthfully. Voice control, movement, and stage or camera presence matter, along with the ability to take direction. Versatility, empathy for the role, and resilience through auditions and rejection all help build a lasting career.

Any woman who performs a role is an actress, for instance a woman playing the lead in a stage play, starring in a film, or appearing in a television drama. The word covers everyone from newcomers in small theatre productions to award-winning stars headlining major Hollywood movies.