| / English Dictionary |
ACT
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I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Something that people do or cause to happen
Synonyms:
act; deed; human action; human activity
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("act" is a kind of...):
event (something that happens at a given place and time)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "act"):
action (something done (usually as opposed to something said))
acquiring; getting (the act of acquiring something)
causation; causing (the act of causing something to happen)
delivery; obstetrical delivery (the act of delivering a child)
departure; going; going away; leaving (the act of departing)
discovery; find; uncovering (the act of discovering something)
disposal; disposition (the act or means of getting rid of something)
effectuation; implementation (the act of implementing (providing a practical means for accomplishing something); carrying into effect)
egress; egression; emergence (the act of coming (or going) out; becoming apparent)
equalisation; equalization; leveling (the act of making equal or uniform)
digging up; disinterment; exhumation (the act of digging something up out of the ground (especially a corpse) where it has been buried)
mitsvah; mitzvah ((Judaism) a good deed performed out of religious duty)
actuation; propulsion (the act of propelling)
recovery; retrieval (the act of regaining or saving something lost (or in danger of becoming lost))
running away (the act of leaving (without permission) the place you are expected to be)
touch; touching (the act of putting two things together with no space between them)
nonaccomplishment; nonachievement (an act that does not achieve its intended goal)
leaning (the act of deviating from a vertical position)
motivating; motivation (the act of motivating; providing incentive)
assumption (the act of assuming or taking for granted)
rejection (the act of rejecting something)
forfeit; forfeiture; sacrifice (the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.)
derivation (the act of deriving something or obtaining something from a source or origin)
activity (any specific behavior)
hire (the act of hiring something or someone)
wear; wearing (the act of having on your person as a covering or adornment)
assessment; judgement; judgment (the act of judging or assessing a person or situation or event)
production (the act or process of producing something)
stay (continuing or remaining in a place or state)
abidance; residence; residency (the act of dwelling in a place)
inactivity (being inactive; being less active)
hinderance; hindrance; interference (the act of hindering or obstructing or impeding)
stop; stoppage (the act of stopping something)
group action (action taken by a group of people)
distribution (the act of distributing or spreading or apportioning)
legitimation (the act of rendering a person legitimate)
permissive waste; waste ((law) reduction in the value of an estate caused by act or neglect)
proclamation; promulgation (the formal act of proclaiming; giving public notice)
communicating; communication (the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information)
speech act (the use of language to perform some act)
Derivation:
act (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))
actuate (put in motion or move to act)
actuate (give an incentive for action)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
Synonyms:
act; enactment
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("act" is a kind of...):
instrument; legal document; legal instrument; official document ((law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right)
Domain category:
jurisprudence; law (the collection of rules imposed by authority)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "act"):
nullity (something that is null (especially an enactment that has no legal validity))
decree; edict; fiat; order; rescript (a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge))
legislative act; statute (an act passed by a legislative body)
Sense 3
Meaning:
A short performance that is part of a longer program
Example:
it was one of the best numbers he ever did
Synonyms:
act; bit; number; routine; turn
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("act" is a kind of...):
performance; public presentation (a dramatic or musical entertainment)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "act"):
show-stopper; showstopper; stopper (an act so striking or impressive that the show must be delayed until the audience quiets down)
Derivation:
act (play a role or part)
act (perform on a stage or theater)
act (be suitable for theatrical performance)
Sense 4
Meaning:
A subdivision of a play or opera or ballet
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("act" is a kind of...):
dramatic composition; dramatic work (a play for performance on the stage or television or in a movie etc.)
Meronyms (parts of "act"):
scene (a subdivision of an act of a play)
Holonyms ("act" is a part of...):
ballet; concert dance (a theatrical representation of a story that is performed to music by trained dancers)
drama; dramatic play; play (a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage)
opera (a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes)
Sense 5
Meaning:
A manifestation of insincerity
Example:
he put on quite an act for her benefit
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("act" is a kind of...):
expression; manifestation; reflection; reflexion (expression without words)
Derivation:
act (pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind)
act (behave unnaturally or affectedly)
II. (verb)
Verb forms
Present simple: I / you / we / they act ... he / she / it acts
Past simple: acted
Past participle: acted
-ing form: acting
Sense 1
Meaning:
Behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself
Example:
The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care
Verb group:
act; act as; play (pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind)
act; dissemble; pretend (behave unnaturally or affectedly)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "act"):
act involuntarily; act reflexively (act in an uncontrolled manner)
bend over backwards; fall over backwards (try very hard to please someone)
presume (take liberties or act with too much confidence)
vulgarise; vulgarize (act in a vulgar manner)
optimise; optimize (act as an optimist and take a sunny view of the world)
quack (act as a medical quack or a charlatan)
menace (act in a threatening manner)
make (act in a certain way so as to acquire)
bluster; swagger; swash (act in an arrogant, overly self-assured, or conceited manner)
freeze (suddenly behave coldly and formally)
wanton (behave extremely cruelly and brutally)
romanticize (act in a romantic way)
sentimentalise; sentimentalize; sentimentise; sentimentize (act in a sentimental way or indulge in sentimental thoughts or expression)
bungle (spoil by behaving clumsily or foolishly)
play; toy (engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously)
act; act as; play (pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind)
stooge (act as a stooge, in a compliant or subordinate manner)
jest; joke (act in a funny or teasing way)
piffle (act in a trivial or ineffective way)
make (behave in a certain way)
make as if (begin or appear to begin an action)
break down; lose it; snap (lose control of one's emotions)
backslap (display excessive cordiality (towards))
hugger mugger (act stealthily or secretively)
sauce (behave saucily or impudently towards)
footle (act foolishly, as by talking nonsense)
frivol; trifle (act frivolously)
puff up; swell (become filled with pride, arrogance, or anger)
follow (accept and follow the leadership or command or guidance of)
loosen up; relax (become less tense, less formal, or less restrained, and assume a friendlier manner)
rage; ramp; storm (behave violently, as if in state of a great anger)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s Adjective
Also:
act up (make itself felt as a recurring pain)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
Example:
She plays deaf when the news are bad
Synonyms:
act; act as; play
Classified under:
Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care
Hypernyms (to "act" is one way to...):
act; behave; do (behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself)
Verb group:
act; behave; do (behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself)
act; play; represent (play a role or part)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s somebody
Derivation:
act (a manifestation of insincerity)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Discharge one's duties
Example:
In what capacity are you acting?
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Hypernyms (to "act" is one way to...):
serve (do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "act"):
criticise; criticize (act as a critic)
bank (act as the banker in a game or in gambling)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s PP
Derivation:
actor (a person who acts and gets things done)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Play a role or part
Example:
She played the servant to her husband's master
Synonyms:
act; play; represent
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Hypernyms (to "act" is one way to...):
re-create (create anew)
Verb group:
act; act as; play (pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind)
act; play; playact; roleplay (perform on a stage or theater)
play (pretend to be somebody in the framework of a game or playful activity)
Domain category:
performing arts (arts or skills that require public performance)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "act"):
make; make believe; pretend (represent fictitiously, as in a play, or pretend to be or act like)
support (play a subordinate role to (another performer))
act out; enact; reenact (act out; represent or perform as if in a play)
act out (represent an incident, state, or emotion by action, especially on stage)
impersonate; portray (assume or act the character of)
parody (make a spoof of or make fun of)
emote (give expression or emotion to, in a stage or movie role)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Derivation:
act (a short performance that is part of a longer program)
actable (capable of being acted; suitable for the stage)
acting (the performance of a part or role in a drama)
actor (a theatrical performer)
Sense 5
Meaning:
Perform on a stage or theater
Example:
I played in 'A Christmas Carol'
Synonyms:
act; play; playact; roleplay
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Hypernyms (to "act" is one way to...):
perform (give a performance (of something))
Verb group:
play (perform on a certain location)
play (be performed or presented for public viewing)
act; play; represent (play a role or part)
act (be suitable for theatrical performance)
Domain category:
dramatic art; dramatics; dramaturgy; theater; theatre (the art of writing and producing plays)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "act"):
stooge (act as the stooge)
mime; pantomime (act out without words but with gestures and bodily movements only)
ham; ham it up; overact; overplay (exaggerate one's acting)
underact; underplay (act (a role) with great restraint)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
Derivation:
actor (a theatrical performer)
acting (the performance of a part or role in a drama)
actable (capable of being acted; suitable for the stage)
act (a short performance that is part of a longer program)
Sense 6
Meaning:
Behave unnaturally or affectedly
Example:
She's just acting
Synonyms:
act; dissemble; pretend
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Verb group:
act; behave; do (behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "act"):
assume; feign; sham; simulate (make a pretence of)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
act (a manifestation of insincerity)
Sense 7
Meaning:
Perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
Example:
The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel
Synonyms:
act; move
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "act"):
alternate; take turns (do something in turns)
end up; fetch up; finish; finish up; land up; wind up (finally be or do something)
festinate; hasten; hurry; look sharp; rush (act or move at high speed)
disturb; interrupt (destroy the peace or tranquility of)
react; respond (show a response or a reaction to something)
go ahead; plow ahead (proceed (with a plan of action))
aggress; attack (take the initiative and go on the offensive)
force (do forcibly; exert force)
create (pursue a creative activity; be engaged in a creative activity)
come forward; come out; come to the fore; step forward; step to the fore; step up (make oneself visible; take action)
pay back; repay; reward (act or give recompense in recognition of someone's behavior or actions)
satisfice; satisfise (decide on and pursue a course of action satisfying the minimum requirements to achieve a goal)
maneuver; manoeuver; manoeuvre (act in order to achieve a certain goal)
dispatch (dispose of rapidly and without delay and efficiently)
evade (practice evasion)
race (to work as fast as possible towards a goal, sometimes in competition with others)
use (habitually do something or be in a certan state or place (use only in the past tense))
play it by ear (decide on one's actions as one goes along, depending on the situation)
play (act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome)
deal (take action with respect to (someone or something))
partner (act as a partner)
exert (make a great effort at a mental or physical task)
egotrip (act in a way that attracts attention)
reciprocate (act, feel, or give mutually or in return)
go; move; proceed (follow a procedure or take a course)
come close (nearly do something)
perform (perform a function)
dare; make bold; presume (take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission)
engage; prosecute; pursue (carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in)
act on (regulate one's behavior in accordance with certain information, ideas, or advice)
interact (act together or towards others or with others)
oppose; react (act against or in opposition to)
take time by the forelock (act quickly and decisively; not let slip an opportunity)
coact (act together, as of organisms)
offer; volunteer (agree freely)
get around to (do something despite obstacles such as lack of time)
dally; flirt; play; toy (behave carelessly or indifferently)
approach; go about; set about (begin to deal with)
participate; take part (share in something)
misbehave; misconduct; misdemean (behave badly)
condescend; lower oneself; stoop (debase oneself morally, act in an undignified, unworthy, or dishonorable way)
acquit; bear; behave; carry; comport; conduct; deport (behave in a certain manner)
behave; comport (behave well or properly)
assay; attempt; essay; seek; try (make an effort or attempt)
court; romance; solicit; woo (make amorous advances towards)
court (engage in social activities leading to marriage)
dare (to be courageous enough to try or do something)
effect (act so as to bring into existence)
antagonise; antagonize; counteract (act in opposition to)
anticipate; counter; foresee; forestall (act in advance of; deal with ahead of time)
prosecute (conduct a prosecution in a court of law)
commit; perpetrate; pull (perform an act, usually with a negative connotation)
rampage (act violently, recklessly, or destructively)
contend; cope; deal; get by; grapple; make do; make out; manage (succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available)
condescend; deign; descend (do something that one considers to be below one's dignity)
condescend (behave in a patronizing and condescending manner)
take care (be careful, prudent, or watchful)
act superior; lord it over; put on airs; queen it over (act like the master of)
stampede (act, usually en masse, hurriedly or on an impulse)
make a point; make sure (make a point of doing something; act purposefully and intentionally)
surprise (come upon or take unawares)
sneak (put, bring, or take in a secretive or furtive manner)
play (behave in a certain way)
take (carry out)
guard (take precautions in order to avoid some unwanted consequence)
begin; start (begin an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object)
go off at half-cock; go off half-cocked (act prematurely or without reflection or too soon)
hold back; hold off; wait (wait before acting)
continue; go along; go on; keep; proceed (continue a certain state, condition, or activity)
do well; had best (act in one's own or everybody's best interest)
continue (continue after an interruption)
continue; persist in (do something repeatedly and showing no intention to stop)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP
Antonym:
refrain (resist doing something)
Also:
act on (carry further or advance)
act up (misbehave badly; act in a silly or improper way)
act upon (have and exert influence or effect)
Derivation:
act (something that people do or cause to happen)
action (something done (usually as opposed to something said))
action (the state of being active)
Sense 8
Meaning:
Be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "act"):
play (be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children)
drive around (drive without any particular aim)
walk around (walk randomly)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
Derivation:
action (the state of being active)
Sense 9
Meaning:
Have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected
Example:
The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water
Synonyms:
act; work
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Hypernyms (to "act" is one way to...):
bring home the bacon; come through; deliver the goods; succeed; win (attain success or reach a desired goal)
Verb group:
bring; make for; play; work; wreak (cause to happen or to occur as a consequence)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP
Sense 10
Meaning:
Be suitable for theatrical performance
Example:
This scene acts well
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Hypernyms (to "act" is one way to...):
be (have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun))
Verb group:
act; play; playact; roleplay (perform on a stage or theater)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s Adjective/Noun
Derivation:
act (a short performance that is part of a longer program)
actable (capable of being acted; suitable for the stage)
acting (the performance of a part or role in a drama)
Context examples:
He ate the fish raw, masticating with painstaking care, for the eating was an act of pure reason.
(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)
The UK government has said natural environments could act as a vital resource for improving health and well-being.
(People Living Near Parks in Cities Less Likely to Face Early Death, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)
I understand that it was your daughter who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests.
(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
It’s also difficult to get the molecules into cells – they need to be transported by another vehicle acting as a delivery agent.
(Nanoparticles used to transport anti-cancer agent to cells, University of Cambridge)
We have developed small molecule compounds that act as an ‘inhibitor’, and by inhibiting the plasmepsin V enzyme in gametocytes, we can block them from transmitting to mosquitoes.
(New way to stop falciparum malaria transmission, SciDev.Net)
Whether it was a criminal act that I had committed?
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
Wnt signaling acts as a positive regulator of beta-catenin by inhibiting beta-catenin degradation, which stabilizes beta-catenin, and causes its accumulation.
(Adherens Junction Assembly Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/KEGG)
She found him guilty before the act, and treated him accordingly.
(White Fang, by Jack London)
The act of making necessary corrections or modifications.
(Adjustment, NCI Thesaurus)
The act of having given something (e.g., a medication or test).
(Administered, NCI Thesaurus)
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