interactive

adjective

in·​ter·​ac·​tive ˌin-tər-ˈak-tiv 

1

: mutually or reciprocally active

2

: involving the actions or input of a user

especially : of, relating to, or being a two-way electronic communication system (such as a telephone, cable television, or a computer) that involves a user's orders (as for information or merchandise) or responses (as to a poll)

interactively adverb

interactivity

ˌin-tər-ak-ˈti-və-tē 

noun

Examples of interactive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ducking into Maryam Lashkari, Hodjat Salimi and Oscar Tuazon’s interactive sculpture — an enormous cardboard tube lying on its side — feels like entering a culvert or a bomb shelter. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

The National Preservation Atlas is an interactive map that shows nearly 5,000 properties listed on the National Register, State Register, and local registers of historic places. — Jane Montanaro, Hartford Courant, 20 Aug. 2026

Inside the library off O’Plaine Road, north of Washington Street, is now an interactive play area for young patrons, a brand-new space designed for middle schoolers and spots for adults with plenty of places to plug in laptops, tablets and phones. — Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026

The evening also will include the debut of Myth Lab, an interactive experience that will work to increase media literacy and critical thinking. — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for interactive

• bioactive
• hyperactive
• nonreactive
• overactive
• psychoactive
• putrefactive
• retroactive
• unattractive
• unreactive
• vasoactive
• active
• tractive

Kids Definition

interactive

adjective

in·​ter·​ac·​tive ˌint-ə-ˈrak-tiv 

1

: active between people, groups, or things

2

: involving the actions or input of a user

an interactive museum exhibit

especially : allowing two-way electronic communications (as between a person and a computer)

interactively adverb

interactivity

-ˌrak-ˈtiv-ət-ē 

noun