acting

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.

“Acting” is pronounced AK-tihng (/ˈæk.tɪŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “acting” used in a sentence: “She was named acting manager while the director was on leave.”

Depending on how it is used, “acting” can be an adjective and a noun.

“Acting” is a very common word in modern English.

“Acting” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: temporarily performing the duties of another role or position.

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.

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.

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.