attrici

Attrici is the plural form of attrice, the Italian noun for a female actor. The term refers to women who perform in theatre, film, or television. In Italian, the masculine counterpart is attore, and together they form the common gendered pair used for performers in the language.

Etymology and forms: attrice derives from Latin actrix, the feminine form related to the Latin noun actor. In modern Italian, the singular is l’attrice (the actress) or una attrice (an actress, with elision before vowels in the common contraction un’attrice). The plural is attrici, used with the definite article le attrici (the actresses).

Usage and context: attrice is the standard term for a female performer in contemporary Italian media, credits, reviews, and discussions of film, theatre, or television. The masculine form attore is used for male performers. Italian maintains gendered job terms, though discussions about gender-neutral language in media and education have led to broader use of inclusive phrasing in some contexts.

Notable examples and cross-cultural notes: Italian cinema and theatre feature many well-known attrici, such as Sophia Loren, Anna Magnani, and Monica Bellucci, who have achieved international recognition. The term also encompasses a wide range of professions within acting, from stage performers to screen actresses, including rising talents in contemporary productions.