actress

noun

ac·​tress ˈak-trəs How to pronounce actress (audio)
Synonyms of actressnext
: a woman or girl who is an actor
actressy adjective

Examples of actress in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Overreliance on PAs has been a front-page tabloid issue in the UK ever since 30-year-old actress Emily Chesterton died from a blood clot in her leg that was missed by a PA during two visits. Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026 O’Hara earned an Emmy nomination last year for supporting comedy actress for the show’s freshman season. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 8 Feb. 2026 The event paid fitting tribute to the recent passing of actress Catherine O’Hara, who slayed in the 2000 film Best in Show. Greg Cote february 8, Miami Herald, 8 Feb. 2026 Among the celebrities who loved the post were award-winning singers Yolanda Adams and Melba Moore, actress Sharon Lawrence, celebrated dance choreographer Jamal Callender, and Access Hollywood co-host Scott Evans. Terry Collins, USA Today, 7 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for actress

Word History

Etymology

actor + -ess

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of actress was in 1586

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Actress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/actress. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

actress

noun
ac·​tress ˈak-trəs How to pronounce actress (audio)
: a woman or girl who acts especially in a play or movie or on television

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