Definitions for acting

(the performance of a part or role in a drama)

(perform an action, or work out or perform (an action); "think before you act"; "We must move quickly"; "The governor should act on the new energy bill"; "The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel")

(behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself; "You should act like an adult"; "Don't behave like a fool"; "What makes her do this way?"; "The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people")

(play a role or part; "Gielgud played Hamlet"; "She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role"; "She played the servant to her husband's master")

(discharge one's duties; "She acts as the chair"; "In what capacity are you acting?")

(pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind; "He acted the idiot"; "She plays deaf when the news are bad")

(be suitable for theatrical performance; "This scene acts well")

(have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected; "The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought"; "How does your idea work in practice?"; "This method doesn't work"; "The breaks of my new car act quickly"; "The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water")

(be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure)

(behave unnaturally or affectedly; "She's just acting")

(perform on a stage or theater; "She acts in this play"; "He acted in `Julius Caesar'"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'")

(serving temporarily especially as a substitute; "the acting president")