active meaning and definition

ACTIVE noun

Definition of active (noun)

1. chemical agent capable of activity
   • synonyms: active agent
2. 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"
   • synonyms: active voice
   • antonym: passive
3. a person who is a participating member of an organization
   • "the club issues a list of members, both the actives and the retirees"

ACTIVE adjective

Definition of active (adjective)

1. tending to become more severe or wider in scope
   • "active tuberculosis"
   • antonym: inactive
2. engaged in or ready for military or naval operations
   • "on active duty"; "the platoon is combat-ready"; "review the fighting forces"
   • synonyms: combat-ready, fighting
3. 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"
   • antonym: inactive
4. taking part in an activity
   • "an active member of the club"; "he was politically active"; "the participating organizations"
   • synonyms: participating
5. characterized by energetic activity
   • "an active toddler"; "active as a gazelle"; "an active man is a man of action"
   • antonym: inactive
6. exerting influence or producing a change or effect
   • "an active ingredient"
   • antonym: inactive
7. full of activity or engaged in continuous activity
   • "an active seaport"; "an active bond market"; "an active account"
   • antonym: inactive
8. in operation
   • "keep hope alive"; "the tradition was still alive"; "an active tradition"
   • synonyms: alive
9. (of the sun) characterized by an increased occurrence of sunspots and flares and radio emissions
   • antonym: quiet
10. expressing that the subject of the sentence has the semantic function of actor
    • "Hemingway favors active constructions"
    • antonym: passive
11. (used of verbs (e.g. `to run') and participial adjectives (e.g. `running' in `running water')) expressing action rather than a state of being
    • synonyms: dynamic
    • antonym: stative
12. (of e.g. volcanos) capable of erupting
    • antonym: extinct
13. (of e.g. volcanos) erupting or liable to erupt
    • "active volcanos"
    • antonym: dormant
14. engaged in full-time work
    • "active duty"; "though past retirement age he is still active in his profession"
    • antonym: inactive