active

1 of 2

adjective

ac·​tive ˈak-tiv How to pronounce active (audio)
1
: characterized by action rather than by contemplation or speculation
an active life
2
: producing or involving action or movement
3
a
of a verb form or voice : asserting that the person or thing represented by the grammatical subject performs the action represented by the verb
Hits in "he hits the ball" is active.
b
: expressing action as distinct from mere existence or state
active verbs such as "eat" and "sing"
4
: quick in physical movement : lively
5
: marked by vigorous activity : busy
The stock market was active.
6
: requiring vigorous action or exertion
active sports
7
: having practical operation or results : effective
an active law
8
a
: disposed to action : energetic
took an active interest
b
: engaged in an action or activity
an active club member
c
of a volcano : currently erupting or likely to erupt compare dormant sense 2a, extinct entry 1 sense 1b
d
: characterized by emission of large amounts of electromagnetic energy
an active galactic nucleus
9
: engaged in full-time service especially in the armed forces
active duty
10
: marked by present operation, transaction, movement, or use
an active account
11
a
: capable of acting or reacting : reacting readily
active nitrogen
active ingredients
b
: tending to progress or to cause degeneration
active tuberculosis
c
of an electronic circuit element : capable of controlling voltages or currents
d(1)
: requiring the expenditure of energy
active calcium ion uptake
(2)
: functioning by the emission of radiant energy or sound
radar is an active sensor
12
: still eligible to win the pot in poker
13
: moving down the line : visiting in the set
used of couples in contra dances or square dances
14
medical : producing active immunity
Active immunization against Bordetella pertussis, the causative agent of whooping cough, is now usually achieved with combined pertussis-tetanus-diphtheria (DTP) vaccine.Scientific American Medicine
actively adverb
activeness noun

active

2 of 2

noun

plural actives
: an active person : one engaged in an action or activity
fraternity alumni and actives
We announced in December that Instagram now has over 600 million monthly actives and recently passed 400 million daily actives.Mark Zuckerberg

Examples of active in a Sentence

Adjective We stay active during the cold winter months by skiing and ice skating. We are active members of our church. While many give money to the organization, only a few are active participants. She was politically active as a volunteer for her state representative. They take an active interest in their children's education. He has taken a more active role in the production of this album. the bank's active and inactive accounts
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The bird life in our wooded part of Washington, D.C., may be even more active than in the open fields of Ontario. David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024 Their social media and online presence is not much more active. Daniel Bice, Journal Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2024 The encounter happened around dusk, when crepuscular creatures like brown bears tend to be more active. Tristan Kennedy, WIRED, 21 Mar. 2024 Most notably, the Dungeon Family hip-hop collective, featuring acts such as Killer Mike, Goodie Mob and Outkast, was active in this scene. Janay Kingsberry, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024 Nipple coverage isn’t great in certain conditions, and the bra is more for everyday wear and not active athletic play. Cheryl Fenton, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024 Eligible applications stay active until their specific category month. Ebony Flake, Essence, 20 Mar. 2024 Foundation, devoted to ending childhood hunger, increasing access to quality education and encouraging children to stay active in Oakland. Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 20 Mar. 2024 Other studies indicate that dementia rates have declined over the last 25 years as more adults are achieving higher levels of education, staying active and exercising, reducing their blood pressure, avoiding cigarettes and staying socially engaged. Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 20 Mar. 2024
Noun
Howell enjoyed cooking for his family and friends and spending time with his wife and son outdoors, doing actives like skiing, boating, fishing and hiking, the webpage said. CNN has reached out to Carmel officials for comment. Paradise Afshar and Joe Sutton, CNN, 28 Jan. 2024 It is often formulated with other actives like vitamin C or niacinamide. Anneke Knot, wsj.com, 5 Dec. 2023 Using too many harsh actives that disrupt the skin’s delicate microbial balance, and being overzealous with exfoliating agents, are huge culprits, as is excess exposure to UV, poor nutrition and even lack of sleep. Georgia Day, Vogue, 6 Dec. 2023 Not only do the brand's formulas boast multiple beneficial actives, but they're also crafted without potentially harmful ingredients like sulfates, mineral oil, petrolatum, synthetic fragrance, glute, sulfates, and parabens. Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2023 Formulated from a supercharged blend of novel anti-pigmentation actives at 14% concentration and 8 natural antioxidants sourced from the Swiss Alps, this potent concentrate works against the appearance of all types of dark spots and imperfections. Angela Lei, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023 This eye cream features a formula with hyaluronic acid, peptides, and 38 plant actives — including red algae, squalane, cacao, and coffee — for highly effective benefits. Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 4 Nov. 2023 Don’t use actives while healing Active skin treatments like retinol, chemical peels, and other exfoliants are often recommended to help target common skin concerns. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 25 Oct. 2023 Created in 1998, cold caps work by cooling the scalp and constricting blood flow to the root, with the hopes of limiting the amount of chemotherapy actives that reach the hair. Tayler Adigun, Essence, 31 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'active.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin āctīvus, from āctus (past participle of agere "to drive (cattle), cause to move, do") + -īvus -ive — more at agent

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of active was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near active

Cite this Entry

“Active.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/active. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

active

adjective
ac·​tive ˈak-tiv How to pronounce active (audio)
1
: producing or involving action or movement
2
: representing the subject as performing the action expressed by the verb
"hits" in "she hits the ball" is an active verb
3
: having or requiring quick or energetic movements
an active child
active sports
4
a
: ready for action
takes an active interest
b
: engaged or participating in an action or activity
an active member
c
: erupting or likely to erupt
an active volcano
5
: engaged in or requiring full-time service especially in the armed forces
active duty
6
: marked by present action or use
an active account
a student's active vocabulary
7
a
: capable of acting or reacting
active ingredients
b
: tending to progress or increase
active tuberculosis
actively adverb
activeness noun

Medical Definition

active

adjective
ac·​tive ˈak-tiv How to pronounce active (audio)
1
: capable of acting or reacting especially in some specific way
an active enzyme
active nitrogen
2
: tending to progress or to cause degeneration
active tuberculosis
3
: exhibiting optical activity
4
: requiring the expenditure of energy
active calcium ion uptake
5
: producing active immunity
active immunization
actively adverb

Legal Definition

active

adjective
ac·​tive
1
: characterized or accomplished by action or effort
active concealment
compare passive
2
: engaged or participating in action or activity
paying child support but not otherwise an active parent

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