acting

1 of 2

noun

act·​ing ˈak-tiŋ How to pronounce acting (audio)
: the art or practice of representing a character on a stage or before cameras

acting

2 of 2

adjective

1
: holding a temporary rank or position : performing services temporarily
acting president
2
a
: suitable for stage performance
an acting play
b
: prepared with directions for actors
an acting text of a play

Examples of acting in a Sentence

Noun Her acting is unusually good in this film. a new style of acting Adjective The college's acting president will be replaced with a permanent one next fall. will serve as acting president of the university until a permanent replacement can be found
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Considered one of the most prolific musicians of the 20th century, Bing Crosby had a 50-plus-year career that spanned across music and acting. Emma Reynolds, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 Strong acting and personable deliveries from all three actors (Emjay Anthony as Dylan, Kezii Curtis as Spud, and, especially, Chiara Aurelia as Jordy) kept me pressing play as the teens toed the blurring line between their lie and their reality. Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Aside from his cameo on Fuller House, Ewing's most recent acting credit was in 2017's A Very Sordid Wedding, the sequel to the cult hit Sordid Lives starring Olivia Newton-John. Keith Langston, Peoplemag, 5 Aug. 2024 Although Mansfield was from Back East, her early acting days were spent at UT and with the Austin community players in the company now known as Zach Theatre. Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 19 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for acting 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

from gerund of act entry 2

Adjective

from present participle of act entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1590, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of acting was in 1590

Dictionary Entries Near acting

Cite this Entry

“Acting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acting. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

acting

adjective
act·​ing
ˈak-tiŋ
: serving temporarily or in place of another
acting president

More from Merriam-Webster on acting

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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