How Do You Spell THESPIAN?

Pronunciation: [θˈɛspi͡ən] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "thespian" may be tricky for some English speakers since it contains several silent letters. According to the International Phonetic Alphabet, the correct pronunciation of "thespian" is /ˈθɛspiən/. The combination of letters "th" is pronounced as a single sound /θ/, while "esp" is pronounced as /ɛsp/. Lastly, the "ia" ending is not pronounced, making the final syllable /ən/. So, despite its unusual spelling, "thespian" is pronounced as "THESS-pee-ən".

THESPIAN Meaning and Definition

  1. Thespian is a noun that refers to a person who is involved in or associated with the field of theater and acting. The term is specifically used to describe actors and actresses, emphasizing their professional involvement in dramatic performances.

    Originating from the Greek word "Thespis," a legendary figure in the history of Greek theater who is said to have been the first actor, the term thespian has come to represent those who dedicate themselves to the art of acting and the theatrical community as a whole.

    A thespian is someone who displays a genuine passion and talent for performing arts, often devoting significant time and effort to honing their acting skills. They can be actively engaged in various aspects of theater, including plays, musicals, films, television, and other forms of dramatic presentations.

    Thespians are skilled in bringing characters to life, effectively conveying emotions, and effectively portraying the intended message of a production. They possess a deep understanding of their craft, including elements such as voice projection, body language, improvisation, and interpretation. Thespians also possess a strong work ethic, often undergoing rigorous training and continuous learning to enhance their abilities.

    In addition to acting, thespians may be involved in other theatrical roles such as directing, playwriting, producing, or working behind the scenes in technical or production aspects. Ultimately, thespians play a vital role in the world of performing arts, contributing their talents to entertain, inspire, and engage audiences both on stage and on screen.

  2. Of or relating to tragic acting; tragic.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for THESPIAN *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for THESPIAN

Etymology of THESPIAN

The word "thespian" ultimately derives from the ancient Greek word "Thespis". Thespis was a legendary poet and actor from ancient Athens, known as the first person to step out of the chorus during performances and deliver lines as a distinct character. He is often considered the father of Greek tragedy.

The term "thespian" itself emerged in English in the late 16th century, borrowed from the Latin version "Thespianus" which referred to actors or performers. The Latin term was inspired by the Greek Θεσπιάδης (Thespiades), an epithet used to describe someone connected to Thespis or the dramatic arts. Over time, "Thespian" came to refer to actors in general, and the word has been used ever since to describe individuals involved in theater and acting.

Plural form of THESPIAN is THESPIANS

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