Meaning of active in English
Table of contents
Pronunciation
/ˈæktɪv/US accent
UK accent
to browse different examples of pronunciation.Classifying Adjective
activeDefinitions
1. engaged in or ready for military or naval operationsExamples
- « on active duty »
- « the platoon is combat-ready »
- « review the fighting forces »
Synonyms
- 2. taking part in an activity
Examples
- « an active member of the club »
- « he was politically active »
- « the participating organizations »
Synonyms
- 3. in operation
Examples
- « keep hope alive »
- « the tradition was still alive »
- « an active tradition »
Synonyms
- 4. being in physical motion
Examples
- « active fish in the aquarium »
Synonyms
- 5. characterized by energetic bodily activity
Examples
- « tennis is an active sport »
- « a very physical dance performance »
Synonyms
Noun
activeDefinitions
1. chemical agent capable of activity- 2. the voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is performing the action or causing the happening denoted by the verb
Examples
- « 'The boy threw the ball' uses the active voice »
Antonyms
- 3. a person devoted to the active life
Antonyms
Qualitative Adjective
activeEtymology
Middle English (in the sense ‘preferring action to contemplation’): from Latin activus, from act-‘done’, from the verb agereDefinitions
1. tending to become more severe or wider in scopeExamples
- « active tuberculosis »
Synonyms
Antonyms
- 2. disposed to take action or effectuate change
Examples
- « a director who takes an active interest in corporate operations »
- « an active antagonism »
- « he was active in drawing attention to their grievances »
Synonyms
Antonyms
- 3. characterized by energetic activity
Examples
- « an active toddler »
- « active as a gazelle »
- « an active man is a man of action »
Synonyms
- about(p)
- astir(p)
- acrobatic
- athletic
- gymnastic
- agile
- nimble
- quick
- spry
- hot
- hyperactive
- overactive
- lively
- on the go(p)
Antonyms
- 4. exerting influence or producing an effect
Examples
- « an active ingredient »
Synonyms
Antonyms
- 5. full of activity or engaged in continuous activity
Examples
- « an active seaport »
- « an active bond market »
- « an active account »
Synonyms
Antonyms
- 6. of the sun
Examples
- « characterized by a high level activity in sunspots and flares and radio emissions »
Antonyms
- 7. expressing that the subject of the sentence has the semantic function of actor: "Hemingway favors active constructions"
Antonyms
- 8. expressing action rather than a state of being
Examples
- « used of verbs (e.g. 'to run') and participial adjectives (e.g. 'running' in 'running water') »
Antonyms
- 9. (of e.g. volcanos) erupting or liable to erupt
Examples
- « active volcanos »
Synonyms
Antonyms
- 10. producing activity or change
Synonyms
Antonyms
- 11. engaged in full-time work
Examples
- « active duty »
- « though past retirement age he is still active in his profession »
Synonyms
Antonyms
Famous quotes
- « I clearly believe a lot more than some of my coalition colleagues - Tories - in redistribution and using the tax system for that purpose. I also believe in the government having an active role in the economy, which is having an industrial strategy. I'm not a believer in laissez-faire. » Vince Cable
- « Studies show that children of divorced parents can have outcomes as positive as those coming from intact homes, provided the father remains financially supportive and active in his children's lives. » Larry Elder
- « I took every chance I could to meet with U.S. soldiers. I talked with them and read the books they gave me about the war. I decided I needed to return to my country and join with them - active duty soldiers and Vietnam Veterans in particular - to try and end the war. » Jane Fonda
- « I like something where I can really use my imagination and be an active participant in the construction of the monster and usually that's in the world of the supernatural or the world of the fantastic, so that's why those kinds of stories about demons and the supernatural appeal to me or maybe I'm really interested in that subject. » Sam Raimi
- « I don't just want a better deal for Britain. I want a better deal for Europe too. So I speak as British prime minister with a positive vision for the future of the European Union. A future in which Britain wants, and should want, to play a committed and active part. » David Cameron