active

active — adjective

1. busy doing many things, or full of movement and events.

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

busy doing many things, or full of movement and events.

Example

Leah stays active all day, helping customers and unpacking boxes.

be active all day for a busy routine

The harbor is active before dawn, with boats leaving every hour.

active for a place full of movement

Common collocations
  • stay active all day
  • an active harbor
  • an active street
  • active before dawn
Synonyms
  • busy

    the closest everyday choice, especially for people with many tasks

  • lively

    more often used for places, events, or behaviour with visible energy

  • bustling

    mainly for crowded places full of movement

Antonyms
  • quiet

    used for places or times with little movement

  • idle

    used when a person or machine is not doing anything

Grammar Patterns

be active all day

be active before / during + time

Usage Note

Often used about people, places, or periods full of movement or tasks. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about taking part in a group or cause.

Common Mistakes

She is active with homework tonight.
She is busy with homework tonight.
for a temporary task, 'busy' is usually more natural than 'active'.

2. taking part in something and doing things to help it happen.

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

taking part in something and doing things to help it happen.

Example

Nina has been active in the parents' group since September.

active in + group

Several nurses were active in planning the free health fair.

active in + planning activity

Common collocations
  • active in politics
  • active in the community
  • active on the committee
  • become active in
Synonyms
  • involved

    broad and neutral; does not always suggest strong energy

  • engaged

    slightly more formal; often suggests thoughtful participation

  • proactive

    stronger; emphasizes taking action before being asked

Antonyms
  • uninvolved

    not taking part in the activity or group

  • passive

    allowing things to happen without taking action

Grammar Patterns

be active in + group / cause

be active on + committee / council

Usage Note

Usually followed by 'in' or 'on' plus a group, project, or cause. Distinguish from sense 1: here the person is involved by choice, not simply busy.

Common Mistakes

She is active the club.
She is active in the club.
use 'active in' for involvement in a group or activity.

3. likely to erupt, or already sending out lava, ash, or gas.

3.adjectiveC1
Definition

likely to erupt, or already sending out lava, ash, or gas.

Example

Scientists still call Mount Merapi an active volcano.

active volcano

Villagers moved farther away because the mountain is still active.

be still active

Common collocations
  • active volcano
  • still active
  • geologically active
Synonyms
  • live

    used mainly in science writing for a volcano that may erupt again

  • erupting

    narrower; means it is producing lava or ash now

Antonyms
  • dormant

    not erupting now, but possibly able to erupt later

  • extinct

    not expected to erupt again

Grammar Patterns

active volcano

be active

Usage Note

Mostly used with 'volcano', though science writing also uses it after 'be'. Distinguish from sense 6, which means operating or still in use.

4. describing a verb, clause, or sentence where the subject does the action.

4.adjectiveB1
Definition

describing a verb, clause, or sentence where the subject does the action.

Example

In "The dog chased the boy," the verb is active.

active verb in a sentence example

Most news reports sound more direct when the sentences are active.

active as opposite of passive

Common collocations
  • active verb
  • active sentence
  • active voice
  • use the active
Synonyms
  • direct

    not a grammar label, but often describes the effect of active wording

Antonyms
  • passive

    grammar term for a structure where the subject receives the action

Grammar Patterns

active verb

active sentence

active voice

Usage Note

Used with words such as 'verb', 'voice', 'clause', and 'sentence'. Contrasts with 'passive', where the action happens to the subject.

Common Mistakes

The cake was eaten by Tom' is active.
Tom ate the cake' is active.
in an active sentence, the subject does the action.

5. full of energy, quick to move, and ready to do things.

5.adjectiveB2
Definition

full of energy, quick to move, and ready to do things.

Example

The new coach is active and never sits during practice.

active for energetic behaviour

At ninety, Grandpa stays active by walking to the park daily.

stay active

Common collocations
  • stay active
  • keep active
  • active child
  • active lifestyle
Synonyms
  • energetic

    the closest match, especially for people with plenty of physical energy

  • lively

    suggests cheerful movement or behaviour

  • dynamic

    often used for people who create energy and change around them

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be active

stay active

Usage Note

Common with people, children, or animals, often after 'stay' or 'keep'. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense focuses on energy, not a full schedule.

6. working now, or still available for use.

6.adjectiveB2
Definition

working now, or still available for use.

Example

Only two of the old computers are still active today.

be still active for equipment

This email address is no longer active, so messages bounce back.

active for accounts or contact details

Common collocations
  • active account
  • active email address
  • active line
  • keep a service active
Synonyms
  • working

    good for machines or systems that function properly

  • operating

    slightly more formal; common for lines, systems, or equipment

  • live

    common in technical language for accounts, links, or broadcasts

Antonyms
  • inactive

    not working or not available for use

  • closed

    used when a service, line, or account has been stopped

Grammar Patterns

be active

keep + object + active

Usage Note

Common with machines, accounts, email addresses, cards, and production lines. Distinguish from sense 3: this sense is about working now, not about erupting.

Common Mistakes

My bank card is still opening.
My bank card is still active.
for cards or accounts, 'active' means usable now.

active — noun

Word family

  • activity
    nounA2
  • actively
    adverbB2
  • inactive
    adjectiveB2
  • inactivity
    nounC1
  • activate
    verbC1
  • activation
    nounC1
  • activist
    nounB2
  • activism
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

For sense 2, 'active' means taking part and helping something move forward. 'Involved' is close, but it is broader and can simply mean connected with something. 'Engaged' is slightly more formal and often suggests thoughtful interest, not just visible action. 'Participating' is narrower: it tells you someone is joining in, but not whether they are doing much. 'Proactive' is stronger than 'active' because it stresses taking action early, without waiting to be asked. A parent can be active in the school committee, involved in a dispute, engaged in community work, participating in a race, or proactive about fixing a problem before it grows.

activeinvolvedengagedparticipatingproactive

Common collocations

Nouns

  • active role
  • active member
  • active volcano
  • active voice

Adverbs

  • politically
  • physically
  • socially
  • still

Phrases

  • take an active part in
  • remain active
  • keep active

Prepositions

  • active in
  • active on

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Active came into English in the late Middle English period from Old French 'actif', which came from Latin 'activus' meaning 'doing' or 'practical'. That Latin adjective is linked to the verb 'agere', meaning 'to do, drive, or set in motion'. The core idea has always been action rather than rest. From that base, English later developed special uses in grammar for the active voice and in science for an active volcano.