NYT Dictionary

ACTOR

/ˈæk.tɚ/
NounACT-oract-or · 2 syllablesGrade 3

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

Meaning

Someone who institutes a legal suit; a plaintiff or complainant.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂eǵ- Proto-Indo-European *-eti Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti Proto-Italic *agō Latin agō Latin āctus Proto-Indo-European *-tōr Proto-Italic *-tōr Latin -tor Latin āctorbor. Middle English actour English actor Inherited from Middle English actour, from Anglo-Norman actor, Middle French actor, and their source, Latin āctor (“doer”), from agō (“to do”). Equivalent to act + -or. Cognate with Ancient Greek ἄκτωρ (áktōr, “leader”), from ἄγω (ágō, “lead, carry, convey, bring”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

complainantplaintiffparticipantperformerplayerdoerrolehistrionthespianworker

Antonyms

undergoer

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 8 recorded puzzles:

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