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active

/ˈæk.tɪv/noun, adjective2 syllables

Active means: characterized by energetic activity.

Synonyms for active43

noun, as in chemical agent capable of activity

active agent

noun, as in the voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is performing the action or causing the happening denoted by the verb

active voice

adjective, as in characterized by energetic activity

about, astir, acrobatic, athletic, gymnastic, agile, nimble, quick, spry, hot, hyperactive, overactive, on the go, sporty, energetic, lively

adjective, as in full of activity or engaged in continuous activity

brisk, bustling, busy, going, open, springy

adjective, as in disposed to take action or effectuate change

activist, activistic, hands-on, proactive

adjective, as in engaged in or ready for military or naval operations

combat-ready, fighting, operational

adjective, as in exerting influence or producing a change or effect

activated, counteractive, surface-active

adjective, as in in operation

adjective, as in taking part in an activity

participating, involved

adjective, as in (of e.g. volcanoes) capable of erupting

adjective, as in tending to become more severe or wider in scope

adjective, as in (used of verbs (e.g. ‘to run’) and participial adjectives (e.g. ‘running’ in ‘running water’)) expressing action rather than a state of being

adjective, as in (of e.g. volcanoes) erupting or liable to erupt

eruptive

adjective, as in engaged in full-time work

Opposites of active

What does active mean?17

adjective

1

characterized by energetic activity“an active toddler”

2

full of activity or engaged in continuous activity“an active seaport”

3

disposed to take action or effectuate change“a director who takes an active interest in corporate operations”

4

engaged in or ready for military or naval operations“on active duty”

5

exerting influence or producing a change or effect“an active ingredient”

6

in operation“keep hope alive”

7

taking part in an activity“an active member of the club”

8

(of e.g. volcanoes) capable of erupting

9

tending to become more severe or wider in scope“active tuberculosis”

10

(used of verbs (e.g. ‘to run’) and participial adjectives (e.g. ‘running’ in ‘running water’)) expressing action rather than a state of being

11

(of e.g. volcanoes) erupting or liable to erupt“active volcanoes”

12

engaged in full-time work“active duty”

13

(of the sun) characterized by an increased occurrence of sunspots and flares and radio emissions

14

expressing that the subject of the sentence has the semantic function of actor:

noun

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“‘The boy threw the ball’ uses the active voice”

3

a person who is a participating member of an organization“the club issues a list of members, both the actives and the retirees”

Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

What rhymes with active?7

Show 40 near rhymes

Active in a sentence

  • Like many people, fish tend to be less active in the cold.Hybrid
  • Observation is a passive science, experimentation an active science.shekitten
  • Earth has several active volcanoes, giant mountain ranges, and vast, deep canyons.Hybrid
  • They left active duty last month, but they're still in the reserves.AlanF_US
  • Reading stimulates the brain, your mind becomes more active and intelligent.josivangoncalves
  • Old as he is, he is very healthy and active.unknown
  • In this seminar, we'll teach you the skill of active listening.DJ_Saidez
  • Whoever asks you about the light, tell him that it is active solidarity.AmarMecheri

Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.

Forms of active

as a noun

plural
actives