actively

actively — adverb

1. doing real things to make something happen, rather than just hoping it will or w

1.adverbB2
Definition

doing real things to make something happen, rather than just hoping it will or watching from the side.

Example

Samir is actively looking for a new job after the factory closed last month.

actively + looking for (job-search collocation)

The school actively encourages students to ask questions during every science lesson.

actively encourages (very common collocation)

Common collocations
  • actively seek
  • actively encourage
  • actively support
  • actively involved in
  • actively pursue
  • actively engage in
Synonyms
  • energetically

    stresses physical or mental vigour, while `actively` stresses real involvement

  • vigorously

    stronger and more forceful; suggests determined effort

  • proactively

    more formal; emphasises acting before a problem appears, not just acting

Antonyms
  • passively

    directly opposite — accepting a situation without taking action

  • idly

    doing nothing useful; often with a hint of laziness

Grammar Patterns

actively + verb

be actively + present participle

Usage Note

Most often placed directly before the main verb or between an auxiliary and a present participle (`is actively seeking`, `has actively encouraged`). Distinguish from `enthusiastically` or `eagerly`, which describe the feeling behind the action; `actively` describes the doing itself.

Common Mistakes

I am active looking for a flat.
I am actively looking for a flat.
use the adverb form `actively` to modify the verb, not the adjective `active`.
She actively is supporting the project.
She is actively supporting the project.
`actively` normally goes between the auxiliary `is/has/was` and the main verb, not before it.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four words describe doing something with real effort, but they highlight different things. `Actively` is the most neutral and common: it simply means you are doing real things, not just watching or waiting — `actively looking for work`. `Energetically` focuses on the physical or mental vigour someone brings, often to a single task — `she danced energetically all night`. `Vigorously` is stronger again, suggesting forceful, determined effort, and is common with verbs like `defend`, `deny`, or `oppose` — `the minister vigorously denied the claims`. `Proactively` is the most formal and business-flavoured; it stresses acting before a problem appears, not just acting at all — `the team proactively warned customers about the delay`. When in doubt in everyday writing, choose `actively`.

actively ↗energeticallyvigorouslyproactively

Common collocations

Phrases

  • actively seek
  • actively encourage
  • actively support
  • actively pursue
  • actively promote
  • actively participate

Prepositions

  • actively involved in
  • actively engaged in

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed in English by adding the adverb-making suffix `-ly` to the adjective `active`. `Active` itself came into English in the 14th century from Old French `actif`, which traced back to Latin `activus`, from `agere` meaning `to do` or `to drive`. So at its root, `actively` literally means `in a doing way`.