act Meaning & Definition
What Does Act Mean?
As a noun, act means the doing of a thing. It is also used to mean something done voluntarily. As a verb, it means to take action. As an abbreviation, it means active.
Word Facts for Act
| Part of speech | noun, verb, abbreviation, trademark |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈakt/ |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | work, process and play |
| Antonyms | refrain, forbear and forebear |
| Plural | acts |
| Verb forms | acts, acting, acted |
Act Definition (Noun)
- the doing of a thing : deed
an act of courage
- 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
- 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.
- a formal record of something done or transacted
- a state of real existence rather than possibility
Act as a 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
- to be capable of being performed
a play that acts well
- 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.
- actuate, animate
Act as an Abbreviation
- active
- actor
- actual
Abbreviation
- Action for Children's Television
- Association of Classroom Teachers
- Australian Capital Territory
Act as a Trademark
- —used for a standardized achievement test to evaluate suitability for college admission
Synonyms of Act
Antonyms of Act
Act in a Sentence
an act of goodwill
He was caught in the act of stealing.
The pivotal moment in the play was in the first scene of the second act.
Which act did you prefer? The soloist or the band?
to put on an act
If you don’t act soon, you will be in trouble.
I started acting at the age of eleven in my local theatre.
A dog which acts aggressively is likely to bite.
I believe that Bill’s stuck-up because of the way that he acts.
He’s acting strangely—I think there’s something wrong with him.
He acted unconcerned so the others wouldn’t worry.
act on behalf of John
High-pressure oxygen acts on the central nervous system and may cause convulsions or death.
Gravitational force acts on heavy bodies.
He’s been acting Shakespearean leads since he was twelve.
He acted the angry parent, but was secretly amused.
A lawyer cannot act until they have been formally instructed by their client.
This group acts on the circle, so it can't be left-orderable!
james did u act enjoy that juice? looked like u were gagging icl
If you don't act soon, you will be in trouble.
He acted unconcerned so the others wouldn't worry.
He's been acting Shakespearean leads since he was twelve.
an act of courage
caught in the act
an act of Congress
a play in three acts
a magic act
a two-person comedy act
They took their act on the road.
a hard act to follow
put on an act that deceived nobody
His friendly concern was just an act.
think before acting
acted favorably on the recommendation
act like a fool
began acting at the age of eight
seemed angry but was just acting
trees acting as a windbreak
wait for a medicine to act
adjourned without acting on the bill
a play that acts well
will act the part of Romeo in tonight's play
act indifference
act the man of the world
Act your age.
in his nightclub act he impersonates a veritable galaxy of movie stars
was putting on an act when she said she didn't mind being left out of the outing
the Americans with Disabilities Act requires public buildings to have wheelchair access
it's acts such as this—lying about having to work late—that make me feel like I can't trust you
a local student acted the part of Tiny Tim in our theater company's production of A Christmas Carol
the painkiller acted surprisingly quickly
always acting helpless, just to get attention
the tail feathers of woodpeckers act as props while the birds excavate tree trunks for insects
if you act confident long enough, you'll begin to actually feel it
someone who is willing to act the helpless little thing when she wants attention
I would never act toward my boss that way
put on an act that deceived nobody / His friendly concern was just an act.
think before acting / acted favorably on the recommendation
Word Forms & Grammar
Act
Acts
act
acts
put on an act
puts on an act
putting on an act
act·ed
act·ing
act·abil·i·ty noun
act·able adjective
actabilities
actability
actable
acted
acting
ACT
in on the act
into the act
act (toward)
act toward
act (countable and uncountable, plural acts)
act (third-person singular simple present acts, present participle acting, simple past and past participle acted)
act (comparative more act, superlative most act)
Words That Rhyme With Act
Origin of Act
Origin 1: 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 agent
Origin 2: Middle English acten "to act upon, adjudicate," in part derivative of act act:1, in part borrowed from Latin āctus, past participle of agere
Origin 3: From Middle English acte, from Old French acte, from Latin ācta (“register of events”), plural of āctum (“decree, law”), from agere (“to do, to act”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti. Compare German Akte (“file”). Partially displaced deed, from Old English dǣd (“act, deed”).
Origin 4: Clipping of actually.
First Known Use
14th century
1590i
Act Pronunciation
You say act as /ˈakt/. It has 1 syllable.
Frequently Asked Questions About Act
Is act a noun or a verb?
Act is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb, an abbreviation and a trademark.
What is another word for act?
Words with a similar meaning to act include work, process and play. See the full list of act synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of act?
Words opposite in meaning to act are refrain, forbear, forebear and bluntness.
What is the plural of act?
The plural of act is acts.
What is the past tense of act?
The past tense of act is acted. The present participle is acting.