1. plural of playactor; people who act in plays or theatrical productions
Usage: often used in historical or literary contexts; can refer to professional or amateur actors
2. people who pretend or act insincerely; those who engage in deceptive behavior
Usage: figurative or pejorative use; informal

Examples

• The playactors rehearsed their lines for weeks before opening night.
• Shakespeare's era saw many talented playactors performing in London theaters.
• Don't trust those playactors—they're just pretending to be your friends.
• The company hired experienced playactors for the community theater production.
• Those playactors were only interested in the money, not the art.
• The playactors took their bows as the audience applauded enthusiastically.