act

1 of 5

noun

ˈakt

: the doing of a thing : deed

an act of courage

law : something done voluntarily

: the process of doing something : action

caught in the act

: the formal product of a legislative body : statute

an act of Congress

also : a decision or determination of a sovereign, a legislative council, or a court of justice

: one of the principal divisions of a theatrical work (such as a play or opera)

a play in three acts

: one of successive parts or performances (as in a variety show or circus)

a magic act

: the performer or performers in such an act

a two-person comedy act

: a performance or presentation identified with a particular individual or group

They took their act on the road.

: the sum of a person's actions or effects that serve to create an impression or set an example

a hard act to follow

: a display of affected behavior : pretense

put on an act that deceived nobody

His friendly concern was just an act.

often capitalized : a formal record of something done or transacted

: a state of real existence rather than possibility

act

2 of 5

verb

acted; acting; acts

intransitive verb

: to take action : move

think before acting

acted favorably on the recommendation

: to conduct oneself : behave

act like a fool

: to perform on the stage

began acting at the age of eight

: to behave as if performing on the stage : pretend

seemed angry but was just acting

: to perform a specified function : serve

trees acting as a windbreak

: to produce an effect : work

wait for a medicine to act

: to give a decision or award

adjourned without acting on the bill

of a play : to be capable of being performed

a play that acts well

transitive verb

: to represent or perform by action especially on the stage

will act the part of Romeo in tonight's play

: feign, simulate

act indifference

: impersonate

: to play the part of as if in a play

act the man of the world

: to behave in a manner suitable to

Act your age.

obsolete : actuate, animate

actability

ˌak-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce act (audio)

noun

actable

ˈak-tə-bəl How to pronounce act (audio)

adjective

act

3 of 5

abbreviation (1)

active

actor

actual

ACT

4 of 5

abbreviation (2)

Action for Children's Television

Association of Classroom Teachers

Australian Capital Territory

ACT

5 of 5

trademark

ˌā-ˌsē-ˈtē How to pronounce ACT (audio)

—used for a standardized achievement test to evaluate suitability for college admission

Example Sentences

Noun We were grateful for her many acts of kindness. the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Please read act II, scene 1 of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. In the first act, two characters are talking in a restaurant. Verb He knew he had to act quickly. The government was slow to act. She acted on behalf of her father, who was not at the meeting. I believe that the killer acted alone. She had acted in self-defense when she killed her attacker. We were acting in the best interests of our children. We must act soon to end this crisis. She learned at an early age how to act properly in social situations. People are always telling me how I should act and what I should say. I noticed that the dog was acting funny this morning. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Russia avoided an economic debacle in the aftermath of President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, in what was an opening act of a slow-burning crisis that will play out in the years to come. —

Azure Gilman, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2023 In the second act, a new group of four initially-unseen observers begin to comment on the action, and their unvarnished conversations, in which stereotypes fly fast and furious, become increasingly outrageous. —

Christopher Wallenberg, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Feb. 2023 Unknown attackers cut cables belonging to Germany’s public railway in December in what was seen as a second act of sabotage against Deutsche Bahn in as many months. —

Reuters, NBC News, 15 Feb. 2023 For Adore Delano, existence is an act of perpetual reinvention. —

Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2023 The Valentine’s Day attack may have been an act of revenge, Eig argues. —

Marisa Iati, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Feb. 2023 Chef Joshua Gil and his partner Matthew Egan, who together opened the Cal-Mex specialist Mirame in Beverly Hills early in the pandemic, have unveiled a second act in this more casual and lively Los Feliz sibling at the former Rockwell address. —

Evan Nicole Brown, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2023 There isn't an obvious second act with Bane, and no immediately rich pathology. —

Darren Franich, EW.com, 6 Feb. 2023 For her second act, the Renaissance artist changed into a floor-length black velvet gown that was fitted throughout the bodice with a trumpet skirt. —

Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 5 Feb. 2023

Verb

Later, on screen and on Broadway, Welch got to actually act and stretch out and take her looks beyond what everyone could see at first glance. —

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2023 The King can only ever act in the interests of the government of the day and does not represent ordinary voters. —

Town & Country, 16 Feb. 2023 His onscreen wife, Prunella Scales, continues to act and reprised her role as Sybil Faulty for a charity event in 2007. —

Vulture, 7 Feb. 2023 Many of the professionals The Times talked to also act and coach people outside of Hollywood, who may either want to improve their English or public speaking skills. —

Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2023 Watching people act that out in a messy way and try to survive and do their very best, and try to connect and try to heal, all of that is in this story. —

Will Bedingfield, WIRED, 6 Feb. 2023 Groff continues to act on- and offstage and will star in the M. Night Shyamalan thriller Knock at the Cabin in February 2023. —

Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 28 Jan. 2023 Sometimes people act like the folks in gentrifying areas just don't want any change and that's not true. —

Nico Avalle, Bon Appétit, 25 Jan. 2023 Creating the perfect conditions for a high-res CHRO requires that CEOs empower their HR leader to act beyond their title and operate as a legitimate business leader. —

Paolo Confino, Fortune, 25 Jan. 2023 See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English acte, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French acte, act, borrowed partly from Latin āctus "driving of cattle, track for cattle, movement, activity, performance, part of a play" (action noun from agere "to drive (cattle), cause to move, do"), partly from Latin āctum (usually in plural) "thing done, public transaction, record," from neuter of āctus, past participle of agere — more at agent

Verb

Middle English acten "to act upon, adjudicate," in part derivative of act act entry 1, in part borrowed from Latin āctus, past participle of agere

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1590, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Kids Definition

act

1 of 2 noun

ˈakt

: something that is done

an act of kindness

: the doing of something

caught in the act

: a law made by a governing body

an act of Congress

: one of the main divisions of a play or opera

: one of the parts of a variety show or circus

: a display of behavior that is not sincere

just putting on an act

act

2 of 2 verb

: to perform by action especially on the stage

: to play the part of

act the man of the world

: to behave in a manner suitable to

act your age

: to conduct oneself

act like a fool

: to take action : move

think before you act

: to perform a function : serve

act as mayor

: to produce an effect : work

wait for a medicine to act

Legal Definition

act

1 of 2 noun

: something done by a person in accordance with his or her free will

a tortious act

单词	acts
释义	act 1 of 5 noun ˈakt 1 a : the doing of a thing : deed an act of courage b law : something done voluntarily 2 : the process of doing something : action caught in the act 3 : the formal product of a legislative body : statute an act of Congress also : a decision or determination of a sovereign, a legislative council, or a court of justice 4 : one of the principal divisions of a theatrical work (such as a play or opera) a play in three acts 5 a : one of successive parts or performances (as in a variety show or circus) a magic act b : the performer or performers in such an act a two-person comedy act c : a performance or presentation identified with a particular individual or group They took their act on the road. d : the sum of a person's actions or effects that serve to create an impression or set an example a hard act to follow 6 : a display of affected behavior : pretense put on an act that deceived nobody His friendly concern was just an act. 7 often capitalized : a formal record of something done or transacted 8 : a state of real existence rather than possibility act 2 of 5 verb acted; acting; acts intransitive verb 1 : to take action : move think before acting acted favorably on the recommendation 2 : to conduct oneself : behave act like a fool 3 a : to perform on the stage began acting at the age of eight b : to behave as if performing on the stage : pretend seemed angry but was just acting 4 : to perform a specified function : serve trees acting as a windbreak 5 : to produce an effect : work wait for a medicine to act 6 : to give a decision or award adjourned without acting on the bill 7 of a play : to be capable of being performed a play that acts well transitive verb 1 a : to represent or perform by action especially on the stage will act the part of Romeo in tonight's play b : feign, simulate act indifference c : impersonate 2 : to play the part of as if in a play act the man of the world 3 : to behave in a manner suitable to Act your age. 4 obsolete : actuate, animate actability ˌak-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē noun actable ˈak-tə-bəl adjective act 3 of 5 abbreviation (1) 1 active 2 actor 3 actual ACT 4 of 5 abbreviation (2) 1 Action for Children's Television 2 Association of Classroom Teachers 3 Australian Capital Territory ACT 5 of 5 trademark ˌā-ˌsē-ˈtē —used for a standardized achievement test to evaluate suitability for college admission Phrases into the act or in on the act : into an undertaking or situation as an active participant saw the success they were having and wanted to get in on the act Synonyms Noun bit number routine shtick schtick shtik turn Verb do impersonate interpret perform play portray See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun We were grateful for her many acts of kindness. the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Please read act II, scene 1 of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. In the first act, two characters are talking in a restaurant. Verb He knew he had to act quickly. The government was slow to act. She acted on behalf of her father, who was not at the meeting. I believe that the killer acted alone. She had acted in self-defense when she killed her attacker. We were acting in the best interests of our children. We must act soon to end this crisis. She learned at an early age how to act properly in social situations. People are always telling me how I should act and what I should say. I noticed that the dog was acting funny this morning. See More Recent Examples on the Web Noun Russia avoided an economic debacle in the aftermath of President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, in what was an opening act of a slow-burning crisis that will play out in the years to come. —Azure Gilman, Fortune, 17 Feb. 2023 In the second act, a new group of four initially-unseen observers begin to comment on the action, and their unvarnished conversations, in which stereotypes fly fast and furious, become increasingly outrageous. —Christopher Wallenberg, BostonGlobe.com, 16 Feb. 2023 Unknown attackers cut cables belonging to Germany’s public railway in December in what was seen as a second act of sabotage against Deutsche Bahn in as many months. —Reuters, NBC News, 15 Feb. 2023 For Adore Delano, existence is an act of perpetual reinvention. —Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2023 The Valentine’s Day attack may have been an act of revenge, Eig argues. —Marisa Iati, Anchorage Daily News, 14 Feb. 2023 Chef Joshua Gil and his partner Matthew Egan, who together opened the Cal-Mex specialist Mirame in Beverly Hills early in the pandemic, have unveiled a second act in this more casual and lively Los Feliz sibling at the former Rockwell address. —Evan Nicole Brown, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2023 There isn't an obvious second act with Bane, and no immediately rich pathology. —Darren Franich, EW.com, 6 Feb. 2023 For her second act, the Renaissance artist changed into a floor-length black velvet gown that was fitted throughout the bodice with a trumpet skirt. —Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 5 Feb. 2023 Verb Later, on screen and on Broadway, Welch got to actually act and stretch out and take her looks beyond what everyone could see at first glance. —Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2023 The King can only ever act in the interests of the government of the day and does not represent ordinary voters. —Town & Country, 16 Feb. 2023 His onscreen wife, Prunella Scales, continues to act and reprised her role as Sybil Faulty for a charity event in 2007. —Vulture, 7 Feb. 2023 Many of the professionals The Times talked to also act and coach people outside of Hollywood, who may either want to improve their English or public speaking skills. —Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2023 Watching people act that out in a messy way and try to survive and do their very best, and try to connect and try to heal, all of that is in this story. —Will Bedingfield, WIRED, 6 Feb. 2023 Groff continues to act on- and offstage and will star in the M. Night Shyamalan thriller Knock at the Cabin in February 2023. —Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 28 Jan. 2023 Sometimes people act like the folks in gentrifying areas just don't want any change and that's not true. —Nico Avalle, Bon Appétit, 25 Jan. 2023 Creating the perfect conditions for a high-res CHRO requires that CEOs empower their HR leader to act beyond their title and operate as a legitimate business leader. —Paolo Confino, Fortune, 25 Jan. 2023 See More Word History Etymology Noun Middle English acte, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French acte, act, borrowed partly from Latin āctus "driving of cattle, track for cattle, movement, activity, performance, part of a play" (action noun from agere "to drive (cattle), cause to move, do"), partly from Latin āctum (usually in plural) "thing done, public transaction, record," from neuter of āctus, past participle of agere — more at agent Verb Middle English acten "to act upon, adjudicate," in part derivative of act act entry 1, in part borrowed from Latin āctus, past participle of agere First Known Use Noun 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Verb 1590, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2 Phrases Containing act act accordingly act/play the fool act dumb act on/upon act one's age act out caught in the act a hard/tough act to follow act up get in on the act clean up one's act in the act (of doing something) get one's act together high-wire act pull a vanishing act read the riot act riot act sex act the sex act act of God act the part co-act get into the act balancing act class act juggling act in on the act put on an act into the act See More act accordingly act/play the fool act dumb act on/upon act one's age act out caught in the act a hard/tough act to follow act up get in on the act clean up one's act in the act (of doing something) get one's act together high-wire act pull a vanishing act read the riot act riot act sex act the sex act act of God act the part co-act get into the act balancing act class act juggling act in on the act put on an act into the act See More Kids Definition act 1 of 2 noun ˈakt 1 : something that is done an act of kindness 2 : the doing of something caught in the act 3 : a law made by a governing body an act of Congress 4 a : one of the main divisions of a play or opera b : one of the parts of a variety show or circus 5 : a display of behavior that is not sincere just putting on an act act 2 of 2 verb 1 : to perform by action especially on the stage 2 : to play the part of act the man of the world 3 a : to behave in a manner suitable to act your age b : to conduct oneself act like a fool 4 : to take action : move think before you act 5 a : to perform a function : serve act as mayor b : to produce an effect : work wait for a medicine to act Medical Definition act 1 of 3 noun ˈakt 1 : a motor performance leading to a definite result 2 : a dealing with objects (as by moving, perceiving, or desiring them) act 2 of 3 intransitive verb 1 : to perform an act : behave 2 : to produce an effect wait for a medicine to act act 3 of 3 abbreviation active Legal Definition act 1 of 2 noun 1 a : something done by a person in accordance with his or her free will a tortious act see also actus reus b : the failure to do something that one has a legal duty to do called also negative act 2 a often capitalized : the formal product of a legislative body : the formally declared will of a legislature the final requirement of which is usually the signature of the proper executive officer : statute an act of Congress in furtherance of the purposes…of that act—U.S. Code b : a decision or determination of a sovereign, a legislative council, or a court of justice compare bill sense 1 3 often capitalized : a formal record of something done or transacted given as my free act and deed act 2 of 2 intransitive verb 1 : to carry into effect a determination of the will : take action 2 : to discharge the duties of a specified office or post : perform a specified function —used with a prepositional phrase declaring what officer shall then act as President—U.S. Constitution art. II 3 : to give a decision or award (as by vote of a deliberative body or by judicial decree) —often used with on adjourned with several important matters still not acted on actor ˈak-tər noun acts 1 of 2 noun plural of act 1 as in routines a performance regularly presented by an individual or group in his nightclub act he impersonates a veritable galaxy of movie stars Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance routines numbers turns shticks schticks bits shtiks signatures 2 as in shows a display of emotion or behavior that is insincere or intended to deceive was putting on an act when she said she didn't mind being left out of the outing Synonyms & Similar Words shows guises masquerades poses pretenses facades charades disguises performances airs pretences fronts personae semblances put-ons impersonations appearances portrayals pretexts dissimulations duplicities façades deceptions cloaks deceits guiles frauds affectations betrayals treacheries perfidies double-dealings glosses excuses camouflages treasons fakeries images double crosses personas colors infidelities falsities Antonyms & Near Antonyms candors sincerities naïvetés naivetes naivetés 3 as in laws a rule of conduct or action laid down by a governing authority and especially a legislature the Americans with Disabilities Act requires public buildings to have wheelchair access Synonyms & Similar Words laws bills ordinances amendments statutes enactments prohibitions constitutions legislations decrees regulations dictates edicts rules rulings ground rules commandments common law directives bylaws commands restrictions fiats blue laws proscriptions canons capitularies encyclicals Antonyms & Near Antonyms higher laws 4 as in things something done by someone it's acts such as this—lying about having to work late—that make me feel like I can't trust you Synonyms & Similar Words things actions feats deeds doings activities experiences accomplishments achievements works exploits initiatives performances stunts moves dealings undertakings adventures steps tactics enterprises proceedings procedures maneuvers operations attainments handiworks co-actions measures tricks emprises coactions acts 2 of 2 verb present tense third-person singular of act 1 as in plays to present a portrayal or performance of a local student acted the part of Tiny Tim in our theater company's production of A Christmas Carol Synonyms & Similar Words plays performs portrays interprets depicts does represents impersonates enacts acts out pantomimes renders masquerades dramatizes mimes mimics imitates playacts clowns overacts overplays underplays takes on coacts role-plays apes hams costars poses (as) stars (in) 2 as in works to produce a desired effect the painkiller acted surprisingly quickly Synonyms & Similar Words works performs operates reacts takes responds takes effect behaves results influences affects takes hold sways pans out redounds Antonyms & Near Antonyms backfires fizzles 3 as in seems to give the impression of being always acting helpless, just to get attention Synonyms & Similar Words seems sounds feels looks appears makes pretends resembles implies suggests comes off (as) dissembles insinuates recalls hints comes across (as) 4 as in functions to have a certain purpose the tail feathers of woodpeckers act as props while the birds excavate tree trunks for insects Synonyms & Similar Words functions serves works performs operates controls regulates guides handles directs runs administers manages supervises oversees carries on 5 as in pretends to present a false appearance of if you act confident long enough, you'll begin to actually feel it Synonyms & Similar Words pretends simulates assumes affects feigns professes plays masquerades dissembles conceals shams counterfeits poses makes believe bluffs imitates forges dissimulates fakes puts on passes (for) disguises playacts masks impersonates camouflages lets on feints malingers 6 as in mocks to pretend to be (what one is not) in appearance or behavior someone who is willing to act the helpless little thing when she wants attention Synonyms & Similar Words plays mocks personates imitates portrays impersonates mimes parodies mimics travesties performs copies masquerades (as) monkeys poses (as) apes
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act

noun

verb

abbreviation (1)

abbreviation (2)

trademark

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing act

Kids Definition

Medical Definition

Legal Definition

noun

verb