adj
active
AK-tihv
adj
1
Engaging in physical movement or exercise regularly.
"She stays active by cycling to work every day."
2
Currently functioning, in use, or in progress.
"The volcano is still active and could erupt at any time."
"His membership is active until the end of the year."
3
Grammar: describing a sentence structure where the subject performs the action, as opposed to the passive voice.
""The dog chased the ball" is written in the active voice."
How to Use Active
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoing things, moving, or currently in operation — the opposite of passive or dormant.
Common mistake
In grammar, don't confuse active voice (subject does the action: "she wrote the letter") with passive voice (subject receives the action: "the letter was written").
Easily confused with
Common pairings
stay active
active volcano
active voice
Word Forms
more active comparative, actives plural, most active superlative
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She stays _____ by cycling to work every day.
Etymology
From Old French actif, from Latin activus, from agere ("to do, act").