active
pronunciation
How to pronounce active in British English:
UK [ˈæktɪv]
How to pronounce active in American English:
US [ˈæktɪv]
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- Noun:
- chemical agent capable of activity
- the voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is performing the action or causing the happening denoted by the verb
- a person devoted to the active life
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- Adjective:
- tending to become more severe or wider in scope
- engaged in or ready for military or naval operations
- disposed to take action or effectuate change
- taking part in an activity
- characterized by energetic activity
- exerting influence or producing an effect
- full of activity or engaged in continuous activity
- in operation
- of the sun; characterized by a high level activity in sunspots and flares and radio emissions
- expressing that the subject of the sentence has the semantic function of actor: "Hemingway favors active constructions"
- expressing action rather than a state of being; used of verbs (e.g. `to run') and participial adjectives (e.g. `running' in `running water')
- (of e.g. volcanos) erupting or liable to erupt
- producing activity or change
- engaged in full-time work
- being in physical motion
- characterized by energetic bodily activity
Word Origin
- active (adj.)
- mid-14c., "given to worldly activity" (opposed to contemplative or monastic), from Old French actif (12c.) or directly from Latin activus, from actus (see act (n.)). As "capable of acting" (opposed to passive), from late 14c. Meaning "energetic, lively" is from 1590s; that of "working, effective, in operation" is from 1640s. Active voice is recorded from 1765 (grammatical use of active dates from mid-15c.).
Example
- 1. Outsiders will follow developments with active interest .
- 2. They are also becoming more active .
- 3. Craters of the moon is seismically active as well .
- 4. It also wants china to become an active , responsible power in world affairs .
- 5. Active relaxation involves doing literally almost nothing .