Actresses is the plural of actress, referring to female performers who act in film, television, or stage. The term denotes professional female actors and is used across professional and casual contexts. Pronunciation emphasizes two syllables with stress on the first: /ˈæk.trɪ.sɪz/ in broad transcription, though many speakers reduce the middle vowel slightly in fluent speech.
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"The actresses walked onto the stage to thunderous applause."
"Several actresses attended the charity gala to support the cause."
"In some productions, the actresses shared the lead roles."
"Study the accents of different actresses to understand regional differences."
Actress derives from the French word actrice, feminine form of acteur, meaning 'actor.' The English adoption began in the 16th–17th centuries, when stage roles for women appeared in English theatre after earlier limitations. The plural form actresses emerged to denote female performers, following standard English pluralization with -es for words ending in -s and -ses. The word has maintained its gendered distinction in modern usage, though the term actor is increasingly used as a gender-neutral collective. The pronunciation settled into the two-syllable plus schwa insertion in rapid speech, with stress typically on the first syllable: ACT-res-ses, though many speakers contract the middle vowel and final -es as /-ɪz/ or /-əz/ depending on the accent. First known written instances appear in early stage dictionaries and theatrical accounts, articulating the need to distinguish female performers from male actors in English-speaking theatre communities. In contemporary usage, the terms “actress” and “actor” coexist, with shifts toward gender-neutral language in some regions and contexts while traditional forms remain common in others. The word’s development reflects social changes in theatre professions and ongoing debates about gendered terminology.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "actresses" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "actresses"
-ors sounds
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Pronounce as ACT-ruh-siz with primary stress on ACT. IPA: US /ˈæk.trəˌsɛsɪz/, UK /ˈækt.rəsɪz/, AU /ˈækt.rəsɪz/. Start with a clear /æ/ in ACT, then a light schwa-like /rə/ before the final /sɪz/ or /sɪz/. Keep the final z-like /z/ sound audible but not overly forceful. Mouth: open front lax vowel /æ/ for ACT, relaxed central vowel in /rə/, final /ɪz/ or /əz/ depending on speed. Audio reference: listen to native speakers and mimic the rhythm of 2 crisp syllables then a light syllable weight on the middle.ipa/actressess/.
Two frequent errors: (1) Misplacing stress, treating as 3 syllables with even emphasis; keep primary stress on ACT. (2) Slurring the middle vowel into a schwa too heavily, producing /ˈæk.tɚ.ses/ instead of /ˈæk.trəˌsɛsɪz/. Correct by exaggerating the middle schwa briefly in practice, then gradually relaxing it in natural speech. Practice with a slow pace, counting syllables to match the standard rhythm, and ensure the final -es is a clear /ɪz/ or /əz/ depending on rhythm.
US typically yields /ˈæk.trəˌsɛsɪz/ with a stronger /trə/ sequence and a relatively quick final /ɪz/. UK often features a crisper /t/ release and tussle between /ˈækt.rəsɪz/ with expanded mid vowels; AU tends toward a longer /ækt/ onset and a more centralized /rə/ before /sɪz/, with occasional non-rhotic tendencies in casual speech. In all, the final syllable commonly lands as /-sɪz/ or /-sɪz/ depending on tempo and speaker. Cross-check with native examples to capture local flavor.
Difficult partly because of the cluster /kt/. and the sequence /krə/ in many rapid pronunciations; the middle schwa is subtle and easy to drop or contract in connected speech, turning /ˈæk.trə.sesɪz/ into /ˈæk.trəs.sɪz/. The final syllable can reduce to /-sɪz/ in fast speech, and non-native speakers often misplace the primary stress or merge the middle vowel with adjacent sounds. Practicing slow, clear enunciation helps stabilize the cluster and maintain the correct rhythm.
A key feature is the delicate mid-vowel /ə/ (schwa) in the second syllable. Many speakers over-articulate this sound or skip it entirely, leading to /æk.trəs.ɪz/ or /æk.træ.səz/. Focus on a light, quick /ə/ before the final /sɪz/, maintaining two full syllables before the tailing sibilant. Listening to native actors and mirroring their cadence will help you nail the precise schwa timing.
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