thespian

1 of 2

noun

thes·​pi·​an ˈthe-spē-ən 

: actor

thespian

2 of 2

adjective

1

often capitalized [from the tradition that Thespis was the originator of the actor's role] : relating to the drama : dramatic

2

capitalized : of or relating to Thespis

Did you know?

Greek drama was originally entirely performed by choruses. According to tradition, the Greek dramatist Thespis, of the 6th century B.C., was the inventor of tragedy and the first to write roles for the individual actor as distinct from the chorus, and the actor's exchanges with the chorus were the first dramatic dialogue. Since Thespis himself performed the individual parts in his own plays, he was also the first true actor. Ever since choruses disappeared from drama, thespians have filled all the roles in plays. Thespian is also an adjective; thus, we can speak of "thespian ambitions" and "thespian traditions", for example.

Synonyms

Noun

• actor
• impersonator
• mummer
• player
• thesp
• trouper

Examples of thespian in a Sentence

Noun

a renowned thespian and director

although she's “acted” in a couple of horror movies, I'd hardly call her one of our more promising thespians

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The thespians’ astrology debate began not even five minutes into the 45-minute-long interview. —Alli Rosenbloom, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024

As great a tale as that is, it's made even better by the casting of actual thespians from Sing Sing. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Isabella Robinson: Wilson Central High School Isabella Robinson, a 12th grader at Wilson Central High School in Lebanon, serves as the Vice President of the school’s thespian society. —Katie Nixon, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

But where the frequent Saturday Night Live and Sam & Kat thespian rallied for many was in her sheer, subtle and sublime comedic timing as Glinda the pink witch in the Jon M. Chu directed movie. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1827, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 2