Active

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Table of contents

1 English

1.1 Etymology
1.2 Pronunciation
1.3 Adjective

1.3.1 Synonyms
1.3.2 Antonyms
1.3.3 See also

English

Etymology

F. actif, L. activus, fr. agere, to act

Pronunciation

IPA: WEAE /ˈæk.tɪv/

Adjective

Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting; — opposed to passive, that receives; as, certain active principles; the powers of the mind.
Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble; as, an active child or animal.
In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; — opposed to quiescent, dormant, or extinct.
active laws
active hostilities
an active volcano
Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy; — opposed to dull, sluggish, indolent, or inert; as, an active man of business; active mind; active zeal.
Requiring or implying action or exertion; — opposed to sedentary or to tranquil; as, active employment or service; active scenes.
Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative; — opposed to speculative or theoretical; as, an active rather than a speculative statesman.
Brisk; lively; as, an active demand for corn.
Implying or producing rapid action.
an active disease
an active remedy
(grammar)
1. Applied to a form of the verb; — opposed to passive. See active voice.
2. Applied to verbs which assert that the subject acts upon or affects something else; transitive.
3. Applied to all verbs that express action as distinct from mere existence or state.
Of a homosexual man, enjoying anal sex in which he penetrates his partner rather than is penetrated.

Synonyms

(1): acting
(2): agile, nimble
(3): in action, in force, working
(4): busy, diligent, energetic
(6): operative, practical
(7): brisk, lively
(9.2): transitive

Antonyms

(1): passive
(2): indolent, lethargic
(3): dormant, extinct, quiescent
(4): dull, indolent, inert, sluggish
(5): sedentary, tranquil
(6): speculative, theoretical
(7): slow
(9.1): passive
(10): passive

1. active agent, active -- (chemical agent capable of activity).
2. active voice, active -- (the voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is performing the action or causing the happening denoted by the verb; "`The boy threw the ball' uses the active voice").
3. active -- (a person devoted to the active life).

sixteen

1. active (vs. inactive) -- (tending to become more severe or wider in scope; "active tuberculosis").
2. active, combat-ready, fighting(prenominal) -- (engaged in or ready for military or naval operations; "on active duty"; "the platoon is combat-ready"; "review the fighting forces").
3. active (vs. passive) -- (disposed to take action or effectuate change; "a director who takes an active interest in corporate operations"; "an active antagonism"; "he was active in drawing attention to their grievances").
4. active, participating -- (taking part in an activity; "an active member of the club"; "he was politically active"; "the participating organizations").
5. active (vs. inactive) -- (characterized by energetic activity; "an active toddler"; "active as a gazelle"; "an active man is a man of action").
6. active (vs. inactive) -- (exerting influence or producing an effect; "an active ingredient").
7. active (vs. inactive) -- (full of activity or engaged in continuous activity; "an active seaport"; "an active bond market"; "an active account").
8. active, alive(predicate) -- (in operation; "keep hope alive"; "the tradition was still alive"; "an active tradition").
9. active (vs. quiet) -- (of the sun; characterized by a high level activity in sunspots and flares and radio emissions).
10. active (vs. passive) -- (expressing that the subject of the sentence has the semantic function of actor: "Hemingway favors active constructions").
11. active (vs. stative), dynamic -- (expressing action rather than a state of being; used of verbs (e.g. `to run') and participial adjectives (e.g. `running' in `running water')).
12. active (vs. dormant) (vs. extinct) -- ((of e.g. volcanos) erupting or liable to erupt; "active volcanos").
13. active (vs. counteractive) -- (producing activity or change).
14. active (vs. inactive) -- (engaged in full-time work; "active duty"; "though past retirement age he is still active in his profession").
15. active -- (being in physical motion; "active fish in the aquarium").
16. active, physical -- (characterized by energetic bodily activity; "tennis is an active sport"; "a very physical dance performance").

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Active

English

Etymology

Pronunciation

Adjective

Synonyms

Antonyms

See also

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