Someone who is active moves around a lot or does a lot of things.
Having an active youngster about the house can be quite wearing.
...a long and active life.
Synonyms: busy, involved, occupied, engaged More Synonyms of active
2. adjective
If you have an active mind or imagination, you are always thinking of new things.
...the tragedy of an active mind trapped by failing physical health.
Synonyms: energetic, strong, spirited, quick More Synonyms of active
3. adjective
If someone is active in an organization, cause, or campaign, they do things for it rather than just giving it their support.
...a chance for fathers to play a more active role in childcare.
I am an active member of the Conservative Party.
He is active on Tyler's behalf.
activelyadverb
They actively campaigned for the vote.
4. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Active is used to emphasize that someone is taking action in order to achieve something, rather than just hoping for it or achieving it in an indirect way.
[emphasis]
Companies need to take active steps to increase exports.
...active discouragement from teachers.
activelyadverb [usually ADVERB with verb]
They have never been actively encouraged to take such risks.
...the White House says the president is not actively considering such a move.
5. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you say that a person or animal is active in a particular place or at a particular time, you mean that they are performingtheir usual activities or performing a particular activity.
Guerrilla groups are active in the province.
...animals which are active at night.
...men who are sexually active.
Synonyms: in operation, working, live, running More Synonyms of active
6. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
An active volcano has erupted recently or is expected to erupt quite soon.
...molten lava from an active volcano.
7. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
An active substance has a chemical or biological effect on things.
The active ingredient in some of the mouthwashes was simply detergent.
8. singular noun
In grammar, the active or the active voice means the forms of a verb which are used when the subject refers to a person or thing that does something. For example, in 'I saw her yesterday', the verb is in the active. Compare passive.
More Synonyms of active
English Easy Learning GrammarActive and passiveActive sentences In the following example, the verb is active. The postman delivers hundreds of letters every day. The subject of an active sentence is ... Read more
active in British English
(ˈæktɪv)
adjective
1.
in a state of action; moving, working, or doing something
2.
busy or involved
an active life
3.
physically energetic
4.
exerting influence; effective
an active ingredient
5. grammar
a.
denoting a voice of verbs used to indicate that the subject of a sentence is performing the action or causing the event or process described by the verb, as kicked in The boy kicked the football
Compare passive (sense 5)
b. another word for nonstative
6.
being fully engaged in military service (esp in the phrase on active service)
7.
(of a volcano) erupting periodically; not extinct
Compare dormant (sense 3), extinct (sense 3)
8. astronomy
(of the sun) exhibiting a large number of sunspots, solar flares, etc, and a marked variation in intensity and frequency of radio emission
Compare quiet (sense 8)
9. business
a.
producing or being used to produce profit, esp in the form of interest
active balances
b.
of or denoting stocks or shares that have been actively bought and sold as recorded in the Official List of the London Stock Exchange
10. electronics
a.
containing a source of power
an active network
b.
capable of amplifying a signal or controlling some function
an active component
an active communication satellite
noun
11. grammar
a.
the active voice
b.
an active verb
12. mainly US
a member of an organization who participates in its activities
Derived forms
actively (ˈactively)
adverb
activeness (ˈactiveness)
noun
Word origin
C14: from Latin āctīvus. See act, -ive
active in American English
(ˈæktɪv)
adjective
1.
that is acting, functioning, working, moving, etc.
2.
capable of acting, functioning, etc.
3.
causing action, motion, or change
4.
characterized by much action or motion; lively, busy, agile, quick, etc.
an active mind, an active boy
5.
actual, not just nominal; participating
an active interest, to play an active role
6.
necessitating action or work
7.
a.
currently in operation, in effect, in progress, etc.
an active law, an active disease
b.
in eruption
an active volcano
8. Grammar
a.
denoting the voice or form of a verb whose subject is the performer, or agent, of the action of the verb
see also passive
b.
in or of the active voice
c.
showing action rather than state of being
said of verbs like throw and walk
noun
9.
an active member of an organization
10. Grammar
a.
the active voice
b.
a verb in this voice
SYNONYMY NOTE: active implies a state of motion, operation, etc. ranging from cases of normal functioningto instances of quickened activity [he's still active at eighty; an active market]; energetic suggests a concentrated exertion of energy or effort [an energetic workout]; vigorous implies forcefulness, robustness, and strength as an inherent quality [a vigorous plant]; strenuous is applied to things that make trying demands on one's strength, energy, etc. [a strenuous trip]; brisk implies liveliness and vigor of motion [a brisk walk]
Derived forms
actively (ˈactively)
adverb
activeness (ˈactiveness)
noun
Word origin
ME & OFr actif < L activus < actus, pp. of agere: see act1
Examples of 'active' in a sentence
active
The government can and will play an active role in revival.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Lavender is commonly used to calm an active mind and encourage sleep.
The Sun (2017)
The charity helps the elderly to keep active and feel valued.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
What he failed to get as an active member he would not get as a departing member.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It has a sense of something slightly more active than mere apathy.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Instead, investors will seek out real value in active and passive funds.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The prospect of a lawsuit was first raised in September but it has now become active.
The Sun (2016)
Their father remains active too.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Rather, you have to take active steps to review and keep under review the security measures put in place by your processor.
Computing (2010)
It matches the latter's miles of gorgeous beaches, and tops them with mountains swathed in forests and an active volcano.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There he made a full recovery and returned to active duty the following year.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We also mix active and passive investments in our portfolios.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Increasingly she became active in campaign work and fundraising for stroke victims.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The sculptor held the condescending and false view that the imagination was only active in art.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Your mind is so active you could catch yourself on the way back.
The Sun (2015)
You can see that she keeps active.
The Sun (2013)
Most of us are active members in our own denominations.
Davey, Ray Rev. & Cole, John A Channel of Peace (1993)
Are you an active person off the court?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They remained reasonably active until they moved to a new location.
Christianity Today (2000)
When people begin to feel anxious they tend to try to defeat it by doing something active.
Hambly, Dr Kenneth Banish Anxiety - how to stop worrying and take charge of your life (1991)
You need to stay active and do interesting things.
The Sun (2015)
We have also become much less active.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Use the active voice or passive voice consistently.
Bachmann, Susan (editor) & Barth, Melinda Between Worlds: A Reader, Rhetoric and Handbook (1995)
She is committed to the cause and is active.
The Sun (2015)
They would need to have played an active role hiding the donations.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Work may be a hassle but at least it keeps your mind active.
The Sun (2010)
The voluntary contribution Voluntary organizations are particularly active in the care of old people.
Brown, Muriel & Payne Sarah Introduction to Social Administration in Britain (1990)
We have got to win in all parts of the country and that is why it is going to be a very active campaign.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Twenty miles off the south-east coast of this island there is an active volcano still hidden beneath the sea.
Richard Fortey THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)
Tokyo, for example, is prone to earthquakes and is near an active volcano.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
I have an active imagination.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
active
British English: active /ˈæktɪv/ ADJECTIVE
An active person is energetic and always busy.
He is still active today, in his late eighties.
American English: active
Arabic: نَشِيط
Brazilian Portuguese: ativo
Chinese: 活跃的
Croatian: aktivan
Czech: aktivní
Danish: aktiv livlig
Dutch: actief
European Spanish: activo
Finnish: aktiivinen
French: actif
German: aktiv
Greek: δραστήριος
Italian: attivo
Japanese: 活動的な
Korean: 활동적인
Norwegian: aktiv
Polish: aktywny
European Portuguese: ativo
Romanian: activ
Russian: активный
Latin American Spanish: activo que obra
Swedish: aktiv
Thai: คล่องแคล่ว
Turkish: etkin aktif
Ukrainian: активний
Vietnamese: năng động hoạt động
All related terms of 'active'
active duty
Active duty means the same as → active service .
active life
You can use life to refer to the events and experiences that happen to people while they are alive .
active list
a list of officers available for full duty
active site
the region in an enzyme molecule in which the reactive groups that participate in its action are juxtaposed
active user
A user is a person or thing that uses something such as a place, facility , product, or machine.
active carbon
a porous highly adsorptive form of carbon used to remove colour or impurities from liquids and gases, in the separation and extraction of chemical compounds, and in the recovery of solvents
active centre
the region in an enzyme molecule in which the reactive groups that participate in its action are juxtaposed
active filter
An active filter is any filter using an op amp .
active galaxy
a galaxy that emits usually large amounts of energy from a very compact central source, such as Seyfert galaxies, radio galaxies, and quasars
active matrix
a liquid crystal display in which each pixel is individually controlled to provide a sharp image at a wide viewing angle ; it is used in laptop and notebook computers
active optics
a system to compensate for any deformation caused by gravity in the surface accuracy and alignment of the mirrors of an astronomical telescope by means of actuators that control the movable mirror supports
active safety
the practice of taking measures to avoid accidents , as opposed to merely reducing their consequences
active voice
a voice of verbs used to indicate that the subject of a sentence is performing the action or causing the event or process described by the verb, as kicked in the boy kicked the football
active element
An active element is an element capable of generating electrical energy .
active immunity
immunity (to a disease) due to the production of antibodies by the body
active partner
a partner who has supplied some of the capital of a business and who takes an active role in managing that business
active service
Someone who is on active service is taking part in a war as a member of the armed forces.
active volcano
A volcano is a mountain from which hot melted rock, gas, steam , and ash from inside the Earth sometimes burst .
surface-active
(of a substance, esp a detergent ) capable of lowering the surface tension of a liquid, usually water
active euthanasia
the deliberate act of killing someone painlessly, esp to relieve suffering from an incurable illness
active ingredient
the part of a substance or compound that produces its chemical or biological effect
active involvement
Your involvement in something is the fact that you are taking part in it.
active lifestyle
The lifestyle of a particular person or group of people is the living conditions, behaviour, and habits that are typical of them or are chosen by them.
active participant
The participants in an activity are the people who take part in it.
active suspension
a type of suspension in a car that is controlled by an onboard computer and improves the vehicle's roadholding so that it takes corners , accelerates , and brakes more smoothly
active transport
a process by which molecules are enabled to pass across a membrane from a region in which they are in a low concentration to one of high concentration; this requires the expenditure of energy in metabolism and is assisted by carrier proteins , commonly referred to as pumps
active vocabulary
the total number of words a person uses in his or her own speech and writing
surface-active agent
a substance, such as a detergent , that can reduce the surface tension of a liquid and thus allow it to foam or penetrate solids; a wetting agent
activewear
clothing for wear while engaging in sports, recreation , etc.; sportswear
active galactic nucleus
a galaxy that emits usually large amounts of energy from a very compact central source, such as Seyfert galaxies, radio galaxies, and quasars
activated carbon
a porous highly adsorptive form of carbon used to remove colour or impurities from liquids and gases, in the separation and extraction of chemical compounds, and in the recovery of solvents
AGN
active galactic nucleus
vocabulary
Your vocabulary is the total number of words you know in a particular language.
activated charcoal
a porous highly adsorptive form of carbon used to remove colour or impurities from liquids and gases, in the separation and extraction of chemical compounds, and in the recovery of solvents
surfactant
a substance, such as a detergent , that can reduce the surface tension of a liquid and thus allow it to foam or penetrate solids ; a wetting agent