• Today's Word

Thespian

🔊 Listen to the word Thespian

THESS-pee-uhn

Definition

(noun) An actor or actress; someone who performs on stage or in dramatic works.

Example

Even as a child, Maya showed thespian talent, turning every living-room corner into her own private stage.

Word Origin

Thespian comes from Thespis, a Greek performer from the 6th century BCE who is often credited as the first actor in theatrical history. Before him, performances were sung or spoken collectively, but Thespis introduced the idea of stepping out from the chorus to speak as an individual character — a shift that shaped all of Western drama.

Fun Fact

In ancient Greek theater, actors wore masks not just for visibility but for amplification. The carved, open-mouthed masks acted like early megaphones, projecting the actor’s voice across huge outdoor amphitheaters that held thousands of people. Modern acoustic studies show these masks genuinely enhanced sound, helping early thespians reach the back rows without any form of technology.