adj.
- Being in physical motion: active fish in the aquarium.
- Functioning or capable of functioning.
- Marked by energetic activity; busy: active stock and bond markets; spent an active day sightseeing.
- Involving or requiring physical exertion and energy: an active workout at the gym.
- Being in a state of action; not quiescent: active hostilities along the border.
- Erupting or liable to erupt; not dormant: an active volcano.
- Marked by or involving direct participation: took an active interest in politics; played an active role on the committee.
- Currently in use or effect: an active membership.
- Openly acknowledged or expressed: an active dislike of the new neighbors.
- Producing an intended action or effect: active ingredients.
- Grammar.
- Indicating that the subject of the sentence is performing or causing the action expressed by the verb. Used of a verb form or voice.
- Expressing action rather than a state of being. Used of verbs such as run, speak, and move.
- Producing profit, interest, or dividends: active accounts; active stocks.
- Electronics.
- Being a source of electrical energy, as a generator.
- Capable of converting or amplifying voltages or currents, as a diode or transistor.
- Being on full military duty and receiving full pay.
- Grammar.
- The active voice.
- A construction or form in the active voice.
- A participating member of an organization: union actives.
[Middle English actif, from Old French, from Latin āctīvus, from āctus, past participle of agere, to drive, do.]
actively ac'tive·ly adv.activeness ac'tive·ness n.
SYNONYMS active, energetic, dynamic, vigorous, lively. These adjectives mean engaged in activity. Active means moving, doing, or functioning: an active toddler; an active imagination; saw active service in the army. Energetic suggests sustained enthusiastic activity: an energetic competitor. Dynamic connotes energy and forcefulness that often inspires others: a dynamic leader. Vigorous implies healthy strength and robustness: a vigorous crusader against drunk driving. Lively suggests animated alertness: a lively interest in politics.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
