actress
9 synonyms for actress, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A woman who performs roles in plays, films, or television shows.
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.
How to use actress
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
award-winning actress
lead actress
veteran actress
Some publications now prefer the gender-neutral "actor" for all performers, reserving "actress" mainly for award categories.
Etymology
From actor plus the feminine suffix -ess.
Full origin of actress →Frequently asked questions
What does “actress” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “actress”?
“Actress” is pronounced AK-trihs (/ˈæk.tɹɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “actress” in a sentence?
Here is “actress” used in a sentence: “The actress won an award for her performance in the drama.”
What is another word for “actress”?
Words with a similar meaning to “actress” include actorine and actrice.
What part of speech is “actress”?
“Actress” is a noun.
Is “actress” a common word?
“Actress” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between an actress and an actor?
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.
Is it still correct to say 'actress'?
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.
What skills does an actress need?
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.
What is an example of an actress?
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.
