activeadjective
1moving or tending to move about vigorously or frequently.
(of a person's mind or imagination) alert and lively.
2participating in a particular sphere or activity.
3working or in operation.
4Grammardenoting a voice of verbs in which the subject is typically the person or thing performing the action and which can take a direct object (e.g.she loved himas opposed tohe was loved). The opposite of passive.
5(of a volcano) erupting or having erupted in historical times.
6(of a disease) not in remission or latent.
7having a chemical or biological effect on something.
8(of an electric circuit) capable of modifying its state or characteristics automatically in response to input or feedback.
nounGrammaran active form of a verb.
Derivatives
activelyadverb
Origin
ME: from L.activus, fromact-,agere'act, do'.
Thesaurusactiveadjective
1despite her illness she remained active: ENERGETIC, lively, sprightly, spry, mobile, vigorous, vital, dynamic, sporty; busy, occupied;informalon the go, full of beans.
2an active member of the union: HARD-WORKING, busy, industrious, diligent, tireless, contributing, effective, enterprising, involved, enthusiastic, keen, committed, devoted, zealous.
3the watermill was active until 1960: OPERATIVE, working, functioning, functional, operating, operational, in action, in operation; live;informalup and running.
Oppositeslistless, passive.