actor
gb/ˈæktɚ/ us/ˈæktɚ/
A2
English
~ 2500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
person who performs in drama
A person who plays a role in a movie, TV show, or play.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is an actor
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'actor' with 'character'. An actor is the real person; the character is the role they play.
Synonyms
performer (A general term for someone who entertains an audience; not limited to acting roles.)
|
thespian (A more formal or literary term for an actor, often used in theater contexts.)
Antonyms
audience member (Refers to someone who watches a performance rather than performing in it.)
Collocations
professional actor
|film actor
|stage actor
|lead actor
|famous actor
Themes
entertainment
|arts
|media
|arts_entertainment
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The actor received an award for his outstanding performance.
- She is a talented stage actor with years of experience.
- That actor is best known for his role in the hit series.
- The young actor impressed the director during auditions.
- Many famous actors started their careers in small theater productions.
Learner examples
- He is an actor in a new film.
- My sister wants to be an actor.
- The actor is on the stage now.
- I saw an actor at the park.
- She works as an actor in TV shows.
Noun
formal
B2
entity
2
person or group causing change
A person or group that does something to make change happen.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is an important actor in [something]
Common mistake:
Some learners think 'actor' only means someone in movies; here it means any active participant in change or events.
Synonyms
agent (A general term for someone or something that causes change or acts on behalf of others.)
|
participant (Someone involved in an activity or event, but not necessarily driving change.)
Antonyms
bystander (Someone present but not taking any active role.)
Collocations
key actor
|political actor
|international actor
|main actor
|state actor
Themes
politics
|business
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The country has become a major actor on the world stage.
- Non-governmental organizations are important actors in humanitarian efforts.
- He was a key actor in the negotiations.
- The company emerged as a significant actor in the renewable energy market.
Learner examples
- The group is an important actor in the project.
- Many actors work to improve the city.
- The country is a big actor in world trade.
Grammar
Dictionary form
actor
IPA
GB/ˈæktɚ/
US/ˈæktɚ/
Syllables & stress
act - or (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (act)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: actor
- Plural: actors
Word family
Forms
actors
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
Expressions
lead actor
1/lˈid ˈæktɚ/
fixed phrase
main performer in drama
The most important performer in a movie, play, or TV show.
Examples
- She won an award for best lead actor.
- The lead actor carried the entire film with his performance.
non-state actor
1/nˈɑn stˈeɪt ˈæktɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
non-governmental entity taking action
A group or person that works in politics or society but is not part of a government.
Examples
- Non-state actors can influence international policy.
- Terrorist groups are examples of non-state actors.
state actor
1/stˈeɪt ˈæktɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
government representative taking action
A government or official group that acts in politics or international relations.
Examples
- State actors were involved in the cyberattack.
- The treaty was signed by several state actors.
supporting actor
1/səpˈɔɹtɪŋ ˈæktɚ/
fixed phrase
secondary performer in drama
An actor who plays an important but smaller role than the main character.
Examples
- He was nominated for best supporting actor.
- The supporting actor added depth to the story.