acting
11 synonyms and 2 antonyms for acting, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Temporarily performing the duties of another role or position.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Temporarily performing the duties of another role or position.
“The acting head teacher met the parents while the principal was away.”
interim
temporary
stand-in
provisional
deputy
caretaker
stopgap
fill-in
playing
performing
playacting
Opposites
2. noun
The profession or craft of performing roles in plays, film, or television.
“Her acting in the school play impressed everyone in the audience.”
How to use acting
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
acting career
acting manager
acting skills
Etymology
From act plus the suffix -ing.
Full origin of acting →Frequently asked questions
What does “acting” mean?
The word “acting” means temporarily performing the duties of another role or position. In plain terms, either the job of performing as a character on stage or screen, or a description of someone temporarily filling another person's role.
How do you pronounce “acting”?
“Acting” is pronounced AK-tihng (/ˈæk.tɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “acting” in a sentence?
Here is “acting” used in a sentence: “She was named acting manager while the director was on leave.”
What part of speech is “acting”?
Depending on how it is used, “acting” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “acting” a common word?
“Acting” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “acting” have?
“Acting” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: temporarily performing the duties of another role or position.
What is the difference between 'acting' and 'interim'?
Both mean temporary, and they overlap. Acting usually describes someone already in the organisation stepping up to cover a role's duties for a short spell, sometimes without full authority. Interim more often means an outsider appointed as a placeholder until a permanent hire is made. Acting covers; interim bridges the gap.
What does 'acting' mean in a job title?
In a title such as 'acting manager' or 'acting head', acting signals that the person is temporarily carrying out that role's duties without holding it permanently. They usually stand in while the post is vacant or the usual holder is absent, until a substantive appointment is confirmed.
What is the opposite of an acting role?
The opposite is a permanent or substantive role — one held in full, not just temporarily covered. Someone might move from acting director to permanent director once formally appointed. Where acting means standing in for a while, permanent, substantive, and confirmed describe holding the position for good.
