Active word meaning and definition

[noun] the voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is performing the action or causing the happening denoted by the verb; "`The boy threw the ball' uses the active voice"
[noun] chemical agent capable of activity
[adjective] characterized by energetic activity; "an active toddler"; "active as a gazelle"; "an active man is a man of action"
[adjective] engaged in full-time work; "active duty" (military); "though past retirement age he is still active in his profession"
[adjective] full of activity or engaged in continuous activity; "an active seaport"; "an active bond market"; "an active account"
[adjective] (pathology) tending to become more severe or wider in scope; "active tuberculosis"
[adjective] disposed to take action or effectuate change; "a director who takes an active interest in corporate operations"; "an active antagonism"; "he was active in drawing attention to their grievances"
[adjective] producing activity or change
[adjective] (of e.g. volcanos) being in a state of action or potential action; "active volcanos"
[adjective] (grammar) expressing action rather than a state of being; used of verbs (e.g. `to run') and participial adjectives (e.g. `running' in `running water')
[adjective] (grammar) active voice
[adjective] exerting influence or producing an effect; "an active ingredient"
[adjective] (astronomy; of the sun) characterized by a high level activity in sunspots and flares and radio emissions
[adjective] in a state of habitual or vigorous activity; "an active man is a man of action"
[adjective] characterized by energetic bodily activity; "tennis is an active sport"; "a very physical dance performance"
[adjective] in operation; "keep hope alive"; "the tradition was still alive"; "an active tradition"
[adjective] taking part in an activity; "an active member of the club"; "he was politically active"; "the participating organizations"
[adjective] being in physical motion; "active fish in the aquarium"; "a nurse is on the move all day"
[adjective] (military) engaged in or ready for military or naval operations; "on active duty"; "the platoon is combat-ready"; "review the fighting forces"

\Ac"tive\, a. [F. actif, L. activus, fr. agere to act.] 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. Active and nervous was his gait. --Wordsworth. 3. In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; -- opposed to {quiescent}, {dormant}, or {extinct}; as, 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; as, an active disease; an active remedy. 9. (Gram.)
(a) Applied to a form of the verb; -- opposed to {passive}. See {Active voice}, under {Voice}.
(b) Applied to verbs which assert that the subject acts upon or affects something else; transitive.
(c) Applied to all verbs that express action as distinct from mere existence or state. {Active capital}, {Active wealth}, money, or property that may readily be converted into money. Syn: Agile; alert; brisk; vigorous; nimble; lively; quick; sprightly; prompt; energetic.

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