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

As of last year, tuition and fees for USC’s graduate acting and dramatic writing programs were $58,234 per year. —Ashley Lee, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2024

The move added to her already significant list of accomplishments as a singer, rapper, and recent foray into acting, and her role as a brand ambassador for Chanel. —Christy Choi, CNN, 11 June 2024

Adjective

Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close confidant who also holds the title of deputy prime minister, was to serve as acting prime minister during the operation, the prime minister’s office said. —NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024

Her most recent acting credit is for K. Asher Levin’s 2020 drama series Players. —Mckinley Franklin, Peoplemag, 31 Mar. 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

• self-acting

Kids Definition

acting

adjective

act·​ing

ˈak-tiŋ

: serving temporarily or in place of another

acting president