play-actor

/'plei,æktə/

Thân thiện

A play-actor performs a scene from a classic play on a small outdoor stage.

Definition

Noun: 1. A traveling actor: A person whose profession is acting, specifically one who performs in plays while traveling to different locations, often in rural or less urban areas. 2. (Derogatory) A person who pretends or feigns: Someone who behaves in a false or insincere way, putting on an act in real life rather than on stage.

Usage

• The primary meaning refers to a specific type of theatrical performer from historical or traditional contexts.
• The secondary, figurative meaning is often used critically to describe someone whose emotions or intentions are not genuine.

Examples

• Noun (Literal):
  • In the 19th century, a play-actor would bring theatre to small towns that had no permanent stage.
  • The troupe of play-actors performed Shakespeare in barns and village halls across the county.
• Noun (Figurative/Derogatory):
  • Don't be such a play-actor; we all know you're not really upset.
  • He's just a play-actor, pretending to care about the cause for his own popularity.

Advanced Usage

• The term can imply a certain lack of prestige or seriousness compared to actors in established, metropolitan theatres.
• When used figuratively, it strongly suggests deception and hypocrisy.

Variants and Related Words

• Play-act (verb): To act in a play; to behave in an affected or insincere manner.
  • The children loved to play-act scenes from their favorite stories.
  • He's not really angry; he's just play-acting to get sympathy.
• Play-acting (noun): The activity or practice of acting in plays; insincere or pretended behavior.

Synonyms

• Strolling player: (Similar literal meaning) An actor who travels from place to place to perform.
• Barnstormer: (Historical, literal) A performer, especially an actor or pilot, who toured rural areas.
• Hypocrite: (Figurative meaning) A person who pretends to have virtues or beliefs they do not actually possess.
• Pretender: (Figurative meaning) A person who claims or pretends to be something they are not.

Related Phrases

• To put on an act: To behave in a way that is not genuine or sincere.
  • She's just putting on an act to avoid getting into trouble.

Học thuật

Noun

1. an actor who travels around the country presenting plays

Từ đồng nghĩa

• barnstormer
• playactor
• trouper