A1 noun Neutral

acting

/ˈæktɪŋ/

Acting is the activity or profession of performing in plays, movies, or television shows. It involves pretending to be a character to tell a story to an audience.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I take an acting class every Saturday morning.

I take an acting class every Saturday morning.

2

The academy offers a professional degree in acting.

The academy offers a professional degree in acting.

3

Her acting in the school play was so good!

Her acting in the school play was so good!

Word Family

Noun
acting
Verb
act
Adverb
actively
Adjective
active
Related
actor
💡

Memory Tip

Think of an ACTor on the STAGE; both words have letters that show they are part of a performance.

Quick Quiz

He wants to pursue a career in ______ because he loves the theater.

Correct!

The correct answer is: acting

Examples

1

I take an acting class every Saturday morning.

everyday

I take an acting class every Saturday morning.

2

The academy offers a professional degree in acting.

formal

The academy offers a professional degree in acting.

3

Her acting in the school play was so good!

informal

Her acting in the school play was so good!

4

Acting is a core component of dramatic arts studies.

academic

Acting is a core component of dramatic arts studies.

5

The agency is looking for new acting talent for the commercial.

business

The agency is looking for new acting talent for the commercial.

Word Family

Noun
acting
Verb
act
Adverb
actively
Adjective
active
Related
actor

Common Collocations

acting career acting career
good acting good acting
acting school acting school
method acting method acting
acting skills acting skills

Common Phrases

acting out

acting out

put on an act

put on an act

the art of acting

the art of acting

Often Confused With

acting vs action

Action refers to things happening or doing, while acting refers specifically to performing a role.

📝

Usage Notes

Acting is usually used as an uncountable noun when referring to the art form. It can also be an adjective meaning 'temporary' in professional titles.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'making acting' instead of 'doing acting' or simply 'acting'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of an ACTor on the STAGE; both words have letters that show they are part of a performance.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin 'actus', which means a doing, driving, or an impulse.

Grammar Patterns

Uncountable noun when referring to the profession Used as a gerund (verb + ing) acting as a noun Can function as an attributive noun (acting school)
🌍

Cultural Context

In many cultures, acting is a highly respected art form associated with Hollywood or Broadway.

Quick Quiz

He wants to pursue a career in ______ because he loves the theater.

Correct!

The correct answer is: acting

More art words

painting

A1

A painting is a picture that someone makes using paint. It is usually created on a surface like paper or canvas and is considered a piece of art.

sculpture

A1

A sculpture is a three-dimensional piece of art made by shaping or carving materials like stone, wood, metal, or clay. Unlike a painting, you can walk around a sculpture and see it from many different angles.

sketch

A1

A simple drawing that is done quickly and without many details. It is often used as a rough draft or a plan for a more finished piece of art.

portrait

A1

A portrait is a painting, drawing, or photograph of a person, usually focusing on the face and shoulders. It is created to show what the person looks like and often to express their personality.

landscape

A1

A landscape is a painting, photograph, or view of a wide area of land. In art, it usually shows natural scenes like mountains, trees, and rivers instead of people.

still life

A1

A still life is a type of art, such as a painting or photograph, that shows objects that do not move. Common subjects include everyday items like fruit, flowers, bottles, or bowls.

cubism

A1

Cubism is a style of modern art that shows objects and people as simple geometric shapes like cubes, triangles, and circles. Instead of looking realistic from one side, the art shows the subject from many different angles at the same time.

surrealism

A1

Surrealism is a style of art and literature that mixes real objects in strange or impossible ways, like in a dream. It aims to show the power of the imagination and the hidden thoughts of the mind.

contemporary art

A1

Contemporary art is art produced at the present period in time. It includes works made by artists living today and reflects the issues of our modern world.

easel

A1

An easel is a wooden or metal frame that stands on three legs. It is used to hold a canvas or a board while an artist is painting or drawing on it.

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