Phrase guide

method acting

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

An acting technique in which the actor fully immerses themselves into the character they are playing.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Topics: acting, broadcasting, entertainment, film, lifestyle, media, television, theater

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: method

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

an acting technique introduced by Stanislavsky in which the actor recalls emotions or reactions from his or her own life and uses them to identify with the character being portrayed

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: method

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: acting, playing, playacting, performing

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 方法演技 — acting technique in which the actor fully immerses themselves into the character they are playing
  • Finnish: metodinäytteleminen — acting technique in which the actor fully immerses themselves into the character they are playing
  • French: Méthode — acting technique in which the actor fully immerses themselves into the character they are playing
  • German: Method Acting — acting technique in which the actor fully immerses themselves into the character they are playing
  • Japanese: メソッド演技法 (mesoddo engihō) — acting technique in which the actor fully immerses themselves into the character they are playing
  • Japanese: メソッド演技 (mesoddo engi) — acting technique in which the actor fully immerses themselves into the character they are playing
  • Russian: актёрский ме́тод (aktjórskij métod) — acting technique in which the actor fully immerses themselves into the character they are playing