acting

1 of 2

noun

act·​ing ˈak-tiŋ 

: 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

Synonyms

Adjective

• ad interim
• interim
• provisional
• provisionary
• provisory
• temporary

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

Noun

Their long careers in acting have taught them this lesson repeatedly. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024

The acting is mostly fine with a few exceptions, but the writing is mostly solid and the characters are mostly fine, if a little undercooked still. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024

Adjective

The film is about three students (led by Pierce in an acting role) who make a bet with their evil principal to succeed in business. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2024

Gomez was just nominated for an acting Emmy for her role on Only Murders In the Building and has starred in movies by Harmony Korine and Jim Jarmusch. —Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Oct. 2024

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

Phrases Containing acting

• long-acting reversible contraception
• long-acting reversible contraceptive
• self-acting

Kids Definition

acting

adjective

act·​ing

ˈak-tiŋ

: serving temporarily or in place of another

acting president