1. The performance of a part or role in a drama
   "His acting convinced everyone he was really upset";
   - playing, playacting, performing

1. Serving temporarily especially as a substitute
   "the acting president"

1. Perform an action; do something
   "think before you act"; "The governor should act on the new energy bill"; "The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel";
   - move
    
2. Show a certain behaviour; conduct or comport oneself
   "You should act like an adult"; "The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people";
   - behave, do, acquit, bear, deport, conduct, comport, carry
    
3. Perform a role or part
   "She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role";
   - play, represent
    
4. Discharge one's duties
   "She acts as the chair"; "In what capacity are you acting?"
    
5. Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
   "He acted the idiot";
   - play, act as
    
6. Behave unnaturally or affectedly
   "She's just acting";
   - dissemble, pretend
    
7. Perform on a stage or theatre
   "She acts in this play"; "He acted in ‘Julius Caesar’";
   - play, playact
    
8. Be suitable for theatrical performance
   "This scene acts well"
    
9. Have a desired or expected effect or outcome
   "The breaks of my new car act quickly";
   - work

Derived forms: actings

See also: act up, impermanent, influence, pursue, temporary

Type of: activity, be, bring home the bacon [informal], come through, come up trumps [Brit, informal], deliver the goods, exist, perform, performing arts, recreate, re-create, serve, succeed, turn up trumps [Brit, informal], win

Antonym: forbear

Part of: performance

Encyclopedia: Acting, Reverse