How to pronounce actor
Say it like AK-ter. Actor has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce actor. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- AK
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Actor pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- AKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of actor
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: AK-tuh.
What does actor mean?
- a theatrical performer
- a person who acts and gets things done“he's a principal actor in this affair”“when you want something done get a doer”
Where does actor come from?
Inherited from Middle English actour, from Anglo-Norman actor, Middle French actor, and their source, Latin āctor (“doer”), from agō (“to do”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying actor
How do you pronounce actor?
Say AK-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈæktɚ/. In British English it is /ˈæktə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in actor?
Actor has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (AK). Broken into parts: AK · ter.
Is actor pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈæktə/ (AK-tuh).