Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

active

/ˈæk.tɪv/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.93 in modern English

Syllables
ac-tive
IPA
/ˈæk.tɪv/
11
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting;—opposed to passive, that receives.

adj

Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble.

adj

In action; actually proceeding; working; in force

adj

In action; actually proceeding; working; in force

adj

Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy

adj

Requiring or implying action or exertion

adj

Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative

adj

Brisk; lively.

Example Sentences

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂eǵ- Proto-Indo-European *-eti Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti Proto-Italic *agō Latin agō Proto-Indo-European *-wós Proto-Indo-European *-iHwósder. Latin -īvus ▲ Ancient Greek ἐνεργητῐκός (energētĭkós)sl. Latin āctīvusbor. Old French actifbor. Middle English actyf English active From Middle English actyf, from Old French actif, from Latin āctīv(us), from agere (“to do, to act”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti. By surface analysis, act + -ive.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: *h₂eǵ-, actyf, actif, activus, *h₂éǵeti

Usage

Inflected Forms

more active (comparative) most active (superlative) actives (plural)

Derived Forms

actifan actimetry activase activate actively activeness activewear activism activist activity activize actometry

Phrases

active braking time active camouflage active couple active directory active dry yeast active duty active echolocation active euthanasia

Frequently Paired Words

act versatile proactive young

Synonyms

acting agile nimble in action working in force busy deedful diligent energetic operative top

Antonyms

passive indolent still quiescent dormant extinct dull sluggish inert tranquil sedentary theoretical

Rhymes With

attractive interactive radioactive inactive reactive proactive unattractive retroactive refractive hyperactive overactive photorefractive

Questions

How do you pronounce active?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈæk.tɪv/.
What does active mean?
Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting;—opposed to passive, that receives.
Where does active come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce active

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “active”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈæk.tɪv/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “active”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “active” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.