passive Meaning & Definition
What Does Passive Mean?
Passive is an adjective that means Being subjected to an action without producing a reaction. It can also mean Taking no action. As a noun, it means The passive voice of verbs. As a noun, it means (grammar) The passive voice of verbs.
Quick Facts About Passive
| Part of speech | adjective, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //ˈpæs.ɪv// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | supine, peaceful and inactive |
| Antonyms | active, active voice and aggressive |
| Plural | passives |
| Comparative / superlative | more passive, most passive |
Passive Definition (Adjective)
- Being subjected to an action without producing a reaction.
- Taking no action.
He remained passive during the protest.
- Being in the passive voice.
- Being inactive and submissive in a relationship, especially in a sexual one.
- Not participating in management.
- Without motive power.
a passive balloon
- Of a component: that consumes but does not produce energy, or is incapable of power gain.
- Where allowance is made for a possible future event.
Passive as a Noun
- The passive voice of verbs.
- A form of a verb that is in the passive voice.
- A customer who is satisfied with a product or service, but not keen enough to promote it by word of mouth.
- Any component that consumes but does not produce energy, or is incapable of power gain.
- Ellipsis of passive attack.
- A thing whose worth decreases with time.
Noun
- (grammar) The passive voice of verbs.
- (grammar) A form of a verb that is in the passive voice.
Adjective
- (grammar) Being in the passive voice.
Synonyms of Passive
Passive synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Passive
Passive in a Sentence
He remained passive during the protest.
a passive balloon
a passive aeroplane
passive flight, such as gliding and soaring
a passive balloon; a passive aeroplane; passive flight, such as gliding and soaring
Word Forms & Grammar
passive (comparative more passive, superlative most passive)
passive (plural passives)
Words That Rhyme With Passive
Origin of Passive
From Middle English passyf, passyve, from Middle French, French passif, from Latin passivus (“serving to express the suffering of an action; in late Latin literally capable of suffering or feeling”), from passus, past participle of pati (“to suffer”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *peh₁- (“to hurt”); compare patient.
How Do You Say Passive?
Passive is pronounced //ˈpæs.ɪv// and has 1 syllable.
Quick Answers About Passive
Is passive an adjective or a noun?
Passive is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for passive?
You can replace passive with words such as supine, peaceful and inactive. See the full list of passive synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of passive?
Words opposite in meaning to passive are active, active voice and aggressive.
What is the plural of passive?
The plural of passive is passives.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of passive?
The comparative form is more passive and the superlative form is most passive.