1. a person who acts in plays; an actor or theatrical performer
Usage: somewhat dated or literary
2. a person who pretends or acts insincerely; someone who puts on a false show
Usage: figurative, informal

Examples

• The playactor delivered his lines with great passion on opening night.
• She's just a playactor—don't believe anything she says about her accomplishments.
• He trained as a playactor at the prestigious drama school.
• The politician was criticized for being a playactor who didn't truly care about the issues.
• Every playactor in the company worked hard to make the production a success.
• He's nothing but a playactor pretending to be your friend.