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Meaning of act in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /ækt/

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  1. Verb

    act

    Etymology

    late Middle English: from Latin actus‘event, thing done’, act-‘done’, from the verb agere, reinforced by the French noun acte

    Definitions

    1. perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

    Examples

    • « think before you act »
    • « We must move quickly »
    • « The governor should act on the new energy bill »
    • « The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel »

    Antonyms

    • refrain
    • forbear
  2. 2. behave in a certain manner

    Examples

    • « show a certain behavior »
    • « conduct or comport oneself »
    • « You should act like an adult »
    • « Don't behave like a fool »
    • « What makes her do this way? »
    • « The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people »
  3. 3. play a role or part

    Examples

    • « Gielgud played Hamlet »
    • « She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role »
    • « She played the servant to her husband's master »
  4. 4. discharge one's duties

    Examples

    • « She acts as the chair »
    • « In what capacity are you acting? »
  5. 5. pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind

    Examples

    • « He acted the idiot »
    • « She plays deaf when the news are bad »
  6. 6. be suitable for theatrical performance

    Examples

    • « This scene acts well »
  7. 7. have an effect or outcome

    Examples

    • « often the one desired or expected »
    • « The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought »
    • « How does your idea work in practice? »
    • « This method doesn't work »
    • « The breaks of my new car act quickly »
    • « The medicine works on »
  8. 8. be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure
  9. 9. behave unnaturally or affectedly

    Examples

    • « She's just acting »
  10. 10. perform on a stage or theater

    Examples

    • « She acts in this play »
    • « He acted in 'Julius Caesar' »
    • « I played in 'A Christmas Carol' »
  11. Noun

    act

    Definitions

    1. a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
  12. 2. something that people do or cause to happen
  13. 3. a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet
  14. 4. a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program

    Examples

    • « he did his act three times every evening »
    • « she had a catchy little routine »
    • « it was one of the best numbers he ever did »
  15. 5. a manifestation of insincerity

    Examples

    • « he put on quite an act for her benefit »

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