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
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 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 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

acting

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

More from Merriam-Webster on acting

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