What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

What is the difference between actor and actress?

actor | actress |

Actress is a synonym of actor.

Actress is a derived term of actor.

Actress is a related term of actor.



As nouns the difference between actor and actress

is that actor is a person who performs in a theatrical play or film while actress is a female doer or "actor" (in a general sense).

actor

English

Alternative forms

* (obsolete)

Noun

(en noun)
  • A person who performs in a theatrical play or film.
  • One who acts; a doer.
  • One who takes part in a situation.
  • (legal) An advocate or proctor in civil courts or causes.
  • (legal) One who institutes a suit; plaintiff or complainant.
  • (policy debate) One who enacts a certain policy action.
  • (software engineering) The entity that performs a role (in use case analysis).
  • Synonyms

    * (person who performs in a theatrical play or film) actress (f), performer, player * (one who acts) doer * (one who takes part) participant * (advocate in civil courts or cases) * (a plaintiff) complainant, plaintiff * (one who enacts a policy action) * (entity performing a role in use case analysis) role

    Derived terms

    * straight actor * voice actor * actress

    Anagrams

    * ----

    actress

    English

    Alternative forms

    * actoress

    Noun

    (es)
  • * 1796 , Matthew Lewis, The Monk , Folio Society 1985, p. 290:
  • My mental anguish, and the dreadful scenes in which I had been an actress , advanced the period of my labour.
  • A female actor on the stage or in films.
  • * 2011 , "Not going quietly", The Economist , 27 Jan 2011:
  • Court documents appear to show that Ian Edmondson, a senior News of the World journalist, had authorised Mr Mulcaire to hack phones belonging to Sienna Miller, an actress .

    Usage notes

    * (term) may also be used to refer to a female player.

    Anagrams

    * *