attore

Attore is an Italian masculine noun that designates a person who performs roles in theater, film, television, or other performance media. The feminine form is attrice, and the plurals are attori for the masculine and attrici for the feminine. In common usage, attore refers to a professional performer, though it can also describe skilled amateur actors.

The term derives from Latin actor, meaning “doer” or “one who acts,” with the feminine form related to actrix. In Italian, attore and attrice are the standard terms for the occupation of acting, mirroring the cognate English word actor.

In practical use, attore is often qualified by role or status, such as attore principale (leading actor) or attore di talento (talented actor), and it can apply across media, including stage, cinema, and television. The gender distinction is routinely observed in Italian, with attrice used whenever referring to a female performer.

See also: attrice, recitazione (acting), teatro (theater), cinema, televisione.