acting1 adjectiveacting2 noun
actingact‧ing1 /ˈæktɪŋ/ adjective 
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Mrs Hamilton has been appointed acting head of the school until a permanent replacement can be found.
- While Kershaw was in the hospital Saunders became acting chairman.
- His acting successor is the authority's planning director Mr John Harrhy, brother of Gordon.
- Mr. and Mrs. Dawes were the acting master and matron, and they were not universally popular.
- Under acting captain Neil Fairbrother, they managed 48 overs in the 205 minutes allowed for 55 overs.
Longman Language Activatorsomeone who replaces another person
someone who replaces another person in a job or in a team, especially permanently: · Steve just announced he was leaving, but the coach has already started looking around for a replacement.replacement for: · I'm just a temporary replacement for the receptionist.· They asked Barbara to stay on until they could find a suitable replacement for her.
the next person to have a permanent job or position after someone else has left it: · Mason is Case's chosen successor as committee chairman.· Smyth resigned as Chief Superintendent two months ago and they still haven't appointed his successor.successor to: · The Orchestra is currently searching for a successor to music director James Sedares.
someone who temporarily takes another person's place in a job or performance when they are unable to do it themselves, especially when this happens unexpectedly: · Ms Green couldn't be here today, so I'm her stand-in.· Ann was Shirley MacLaine's stand-in in the movie.stand-in for: · I'd like Tom to act as a stand-in for Julian until he returns to work.
also sub informal someone who takes someone else's place in a team for a limited period of time, especially because the other person is injured or tired: · If Marsh has not fully recovered, his likely substitute will be Robinson.· With key players out of energy, it was a sub who scored six points in the last two minutes and won the game.bring somebody on as a substitute for somebody: · Ten minutes into the second half Davies was brought on as substitute for Ward.
an acting chairman, director, manager is someone who replaces someone in a position of authority for a limited period of time: · While Kershaw was in the hospital Saunders became acting chairman.· Mrs Hamilton has been appointed acting head of the school until a permanent replacement can be found.
British /substitute teacher American, also sub American informal informal a teacher who replaces another teacher for a limited period of time: · We'll need a sub for Dawn's class tomorrow.· The kids always misbehave when they have a substitute teacher.· Ray was working as a supply teacher to earn some extra money.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
We’re acting as agents for Mr Watson. In order to sue, you have to prove that the company was acting in bad faith. His Broadway debut was ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’. He saw two youths acting suspiciously.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
· Her acting abilities were obvious straightaway.
We’re acting as agents for Mr Watson. In order to sue, you have to prove that the company was acting in bad faith.· Her acting career lasted for more than 50 years.
His Broadway debut was ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’.· Cyanide is a very strong, quick-acting poison.
He saw two youths acting suspiciously.· He had filled the post in an acting capacity since the resignation of Vitaly Masol in October.
· His acting career went slowly but definitely downhill.· It's a back to front way of running an acting career.· It's understandable that she would want to resume her acting career after having children.· She was soon to give up her own acting career - which she never took seriously - to - spoil him?· Savouring her 1,440-vote capture of the Tory marginal, the double Oscar winner said yesterday her acting career was over.· But attention was expected to centre on Sir Anthony, currently enjoying one of the best periods of his distinguished acting career.· In the 1920s Pearson resumed his acting career but also began publishing short stories, essays, and journalism.· But during her short acting career, Brown was held in high esteem by the theatrical fraternity in Northern Ireland.
· Non-Communist becomes acting head of state Krenz quits as unrest fears grow.
· Octavio Lepage, the head of the Senate, is now acting president.
WORD FAMILYnounactaction ≠ inactionactivity ≠ inactivityreactioninteractionoveractingadjectiveactingactive ≠ inactiveverbact ≠ overactadverbactively
acting manager/head teacher/director etc someone who does an important job while the usual person is not there, or until a new person is chosen for the jobacting1 adjectiveacting2 noun
actingacting2 noun [uncountable] EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Gloria Reuben quit acting to join Tina Turner on stage as a backing singer and dancer.
- You shouldn't take up acting as a career; it's a very risky business.
- But they are guidelines to what acting is basically about.
- Eventually, though, he singles out Celia Johnson's acting followed by Lean's direction.
- Still only sixteen, it looked as if acting would become the career for which Crawford had hoped.
- Talking about acting is like boasting about pictures you're going to paint.
- The acting she did within its framework was almost right.
- The chief acting honours, however, go to Jean Marsh as the tense but battle-hardened Miss Madrigal.
- There is some hammy acting, but the film gives an interesting insight into the gangster scene of the Sixties.
Longman Language Activatorthe activity or study of acting
the job or skill of being an actor: · You shouldn't take up acting as a career; it's a very risky business.· Gloria Reuben quit acting to join Tina Turner on stage as a backing singer and dancer.
British /theater American the business and activity of arranging, acting in, and performing plays in theatres: · She does some TV work, but theatre remains her first love.· the use of theatre in primary school educationthe theatre/the theater: · Shakespeare's plays were written for the theater, but many people study them as literature.
the study of acting and plays as a subject at school, college, or university: · He studied English and Drama at Manchester University.· a drama student· I was never much good at drama when I was a kid - probably because I was very shy.
acting in plays as an activity that you do in your free time for enjoyment, not as a job you get paid for: · Jonathan once appeared in a local amateur dramatics production of 'Death of a Salesman'.· Her hobbies include amateur dramatics and horse riding.
WORD SETSacrobat, nounact, verbacting, nounactor, nounactress, nounagent, nounarena, nounbig name, nounbill, nounblack comedy, nounbook, verbcast, nouncasting, nounclown, nouncomedian, nouncomedienne, nouncomedy, nouncomic, nouncompany, nounconcert hall, nounconjure, verbconjurer, nounconjuring, nounconservatoire, nounconservatory, nouncontortionist, noundisplay, noundouble act, nounduo, nounemcee, nounenact, verbencore, nounentertainer, nounentertainment, nounfestival, nounfinale, nounfirst night, nounfool, noungala, noungrand finale, nounguest, nounham, nounheadline, verbheartthrob, nounhigh wire, nounhypnotist, nounimpersonator, nounimpresario, nouninterlude, nounintermission, nouninterpret, verbinterpretation, nounintro, nounlive, adjectivemagic, nounmagician, nounmagic wand, nounmajorette, nounmanager, nounmask, nounmatinée, nounmatinée idol, nounmegastar, nounmime, nounminstrel, nounnarration, nounopening night, nounPA, nounpart, nounperform, verbperformance, nounperformer, nounpresentation, nounprincipal, nounproducer, nounprogramme, nounprompt, verbprompt, nounpublic, nounpunchline, nounraconteur, nounrecast, verbrecitation, nounrehearsal, nounrehearse, verbrepertoire, nounreprise, nounringside, nounroadshow, nounrole-play, nounsafety net, nounshow business, nounshowgirl, nounshow-stopping, adjectivesketch, nounslapstick, nounsleight of hand, nounsmash hit, nounsnake charmer, nounsold out, adjectiveson et lumière, nounstand-up, adjectivestand-up, nounstar, verbstooge, nounstraight man, nounstripper, nounstriptease, nounsuperstar, nountattoo, nountightrope, nountour, nountroubadour, nountroupe, nountumbler, nounventriloquist, nounvirtuoso, nounwooden, adjective
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES We’re acting as agents for Mr Watson. In order to sue, you have to prove that the company was acting in bad faith. His Broadway debut was ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’. He saw two youths acting suspiciously.
the job or skill of performing in plays and films· Her acting abilities were obvious straightaway.
We’re acting as agents for Mr Watson. In order to sue, you have to prove that the company was acting in bad faith.· Her acting career lasted for more than 50 years.
His Broadway debut was ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’.· Cyanide is a very strong, quick-acting poison.
He saw two youths acting suspiciously.