active

Adj

1. Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting;—opposed to passive, that receives.
2. Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble.
3. In action; actually proceeding; working; in force
4. (specifically) In action; actually proceeding; working; in force
5. Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy
6. Requiring or implying action or exertion
7. Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative
8. Brisk; lively.
9. Implying or producing rapid action.
10. About verbs.
11. About verbs.
12. About verbs.
13. Eligible to be processed by a compiler or interpreter.
14. Not passive.
15. (of a homosexual man) enjoying a role in anal sex in which he penetrates, rather than being penetrated by his partner.

Noun

1. A person or thing that is acting or capable of acting.
2. Any component that is not passive. See Passivity (engineering).

Opposite of

passive, indolent, still, quiescent, dormant, extinct, dull, sluggish, inert, tranquil, sedentary, theoretical, speculative, slow, bottom

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈæk.tɪv/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: actyf

In summary

From Middle English actyf, from Old French actif, from Latin āctīv(us), from agere (“to do, to act”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti. By surface analysis, act + -ive.

Synonyms

energetic

lively

vigorous

busy

agile

diligent

brisk

alive

industrious

dynamic

quick

alert

spry

nimble

working

effective

persevering

hardworking

active voice

sprightly

restless

efficient

aggressive

operative

vivacious

smart

prompt

live

strong

perky

functioning

assiduous

in action

keen

mobile

acting

sprited

adroit

powerful

spirited

participating

functional

forceful

animated

clever

inaction

fighting

animate

enterprising

operational

Translations

actif

attivo

activo

aktiv

actiu

actief

ativo

tätig

bedrijvig

czynny

werkzaam

aktywny

bedrijvend

dynamique

rührig

Sentences

The band was very active with live performances in and outside their native country .

He was also active in the Manchester Statistical Society .

Control an active connection multiplexing master process .

Our earth is geologically active , while other planets in the solar system are not .

Active voice is used in a clause whose subject expresses the main verb's agent .