actress

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ac•tress /ˈæktrɪs/   n. [countable]

1. Show Business, Pronouns a woman who acts in stage plays, motion pictures, etc.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ac•tress  (ak′tris), n. 

1. Show Business, Pronouns a woman who acts in stage plays, motion pictures, television broadcasts, etc., esp. professionally.

• act(o)r + -ess 1580–90

Usage

See -ess. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

actress / ˈæktrɪs/ noun

1. a woman who acts in a play, film, broadcast, etc
2. a woman who puts on a false manner in order to deceive others