act

²act

verb

Definition of ACT

transitive verb

1

obsolete : actuate, animate

2

a : to represent or perform by action especially on the stage b : feign, simulate c : impersonate

3

: to play the part of as if in a play <act the man of the world>

4

: to behave in a manner suitable to <act your age>

intransitive verb

1

a : to perform on the stage b : to behave as if performing on the stage : pretend

2

: to take action : move <think before acting> <acted favorably on the recommendation>

3

: to conduct oneself : behave <act like a fool>

4

: to perform a specified function : serve <trees acting as a windbreak>

5

: to produce an effect : work <wait for a medicine to act>

6

of a play : to be capable of being performed <the play acts well>

7

: to give a decision or award <adjourned without acting on the bill>

— act·abil·i·ty \ˌak-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— act·able \ˈak-tə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of ACT

1. He knew he had to act quickly.
2. The government was slow to act.
3. She acted on behalf of her father, who was not at the meeting.
4. I believe that the killer acted alone.
5. She had acted in self-defense when she killed her attacker.
6. We were acting in the best interests of our children.
7. We must act soon to end this crisis.
8. She learned at an early age how to act properly in social situations.
9. People are always telling me how I should act and what I should say.
10. I noticed that the dog was acting funny this morning.

First Known Use of ACT

1590

Related to ACT

Synonyms: do, impersonate, interpret, perform, play, portray

Related Words: depict, dramatize, render, represent; act out, enact, pantomime, playact, role-play, take on; overact, overplay, underplay; ape, clown, ham, imitate, masquerade, mime, mimic, pose (as); star (in); coact, costar

Near Antonyms: backfire; fizzle

see all synonyms and antonyms

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