Adjective

active (comparative more active, superlative most active)

Positive active

Comparative more active

Superlative most active

1. Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting; — opposed to passive, that receives; as, certain active principles; the powers of the mind.
2. Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble; as, an active child or animal.
3. In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; — opposed to quiescent, dormant, or extinct.

   active laws

   active hostilities

   an active volcano

4. Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy; — opposed to dull, sluggish, indolent, or inert; as, an active man of business; active mind; active zeal.
5. Requiring or implying action or exertion; — opposed to sedentary or to tranquil; as, active employment or service; active scenes.
6. Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative; — opposed to speculative or theoretical; as, an active rather than a speculative statesman.
7. Brisk; lively; as, an active demand for corn.
8. Implying or producing rapid action.

   an active disease

   an active remedy

9. (grammar) Applied to a form of the verb; — opposed to passive. See active voice.
10. (grammar) Applied to verbs which assert that the subject acts upon or affects something else; transitive.
11. (grammar) Applied to all verbs that express action as distinct from mere existence or state.
12. (gay sexual slang) (of a homosexual man) enjoying a role in anal sex in which he penetrates, rather than being penetrated by his partner
13. (gay sexual slang) such a role in anal sex

Synonyms

The synonyms below need to be checked and allocated to the definitions (senses) of the word above. Each synonym should appear in each sense for which it is appropriate. Use the template {{sense|"gloss"}}, substituting a short version of the definition.

• (1): acting
• (2): agile, nimble
• (3): in action, in force, working
• (4): busy, diligent, energetic
• (6): operative, practical
• (7): brisk, lively
• (9.2): transitive
• (10): top
• See also Wikisaurus:active

Antonyms

• (1): passive
• (2): indolent, lethargic
• (3): dormant, extinct, quiescent
• (4): dull, indolent, inert, sluggish
• (5): sedentary, tranquil
• (6): speculative, theoretical
• (7): slow
• (9.1): passive
• (10): passive, bottom

Related terms

• act

Active (Mushrooms), a mushroom that contains the alkaloid Psilocybin.