active

1 of 2

adjective

ac·​tive ˈak-tiv 

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

Synonyms

Adjective

• alive
• functional
• functioning
• going
• live
• living
• on
• operating
• operational
• operative
• running
• working

Example Sentences

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

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Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

It is packed with active ingredients like retinol and niacinamide to help fade fine lines and wrinkles while also evening skin tone. —Tatjana Freund, elle.com, 1 June 2023

Franklin has emerged in recent years as one of the money-management industry’s most active acquirers. —Justin Baer, WSJ, 31 May 2023

The rise in food insecurity — lacking enough food to live a healthy, active life — comes as the nation has ended the pandemic emergency and the economy, by many measures, continues to be strong. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 31 May 2023

The suit is made with a stretchy nylon and spandex blend for breathability and movement on even your most active vacations, and removable padding in the top offers customizable coverage and support. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2023

Plumbers also advise against toilet tablets, with chlorine or bleach as their active ingredient. —Rachel Kurzius, Anchorage Daily News, 30 May 2023

Paying Tribute to the Celebrities Who Have Died in 2023 Simonischek supplemented his active theater career with work on screen beginning in the 1970s, working largely in German-language television and movies. —Tommy Mcardle, Peoplemag, 30 May 2023

Other notes about the tournament: —Vanderbilt has the longest active streak with its 17th straight appearance. —Jenna Ortiz, The Arizona Republic, 29 May 2023

Bottom: Williams didn’t let a ball leave the infield and earned a 1-2-3 inning while both bullpens start to get active. —Nick Alvarez | [e-mail], al, 28 May 2023

Noun

Most daily treatments have either too many actives for delicate skin or don't really do anything at all. —Lindsey Metrus, Peoplemag, 30 May 2023

The Outset Firming Vegan Collagen Prep Serum $46 at Olivela Pros Non-irritating Cons Actress Scarlett Johansson helped create this firming serum, which utilizes vegan collagen and botanical actives to promote radiance, increase elasticity, and minimize the appearance of wrinkles. —Iman Balagam, harpersbazaar.com, 6 May 2023

The facial oil completes the set with its lightweight formula featuring English Rose Oleo extract and marine actives, which help make the skin look smoother and brighter. —Danielle Directo-meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Apr. 2023

While exfoliating ingredients are necessary for that youthful glow, taking too many actives to the face can cause something called your skin barrier to become compromised, which contributes to irritation. —April Benshosan, Women's Health, 23 Feb. 2023

Free from potentially harmful actives: Avoid products that contain ingredients like oxybenzone and benzene, which research shows have the potential to be problematic for health. —Katie Berohn, Good Housekeeping, 17 Feb. 2023

This overnight mask has 22 different actives including gardenia jasminoides extract, hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and rose flower water to work overnight to help your skin rebuild collagen and hydrate. —Erica Smith, ELLE, 5 Apr. 2023

Her team aims to create formulas with a combination of actives and naturals at ideal pH levels. —Neha Tandon, Women's Health, 2 Apr. 2023

After harvesting the antioxidant-rich flowers by hand and promptly freezing them to preserve their youth-boosting actives, they are combined with a trio of smoothing peptides. —Lisa Desantis, Allure, 23 Mar. 2023

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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

Phrases Containing active

• active immunity
• active-matrix
• active service
• active duty
• active site
• active shooter
• active suspension
• active vocabulary
• active transport
• sexually active
• surface-active
• optically active
• co-active

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• active immunity
• active-matrix
• active service
• active duty
• active site
• active shooter
• active suspension
• active vocabulary
• active transport
• sexually active
• surface-active
• optically active
• co-active

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Kids Definition

active

adjective

ac·​tive ˈak-tiv 

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 

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