passive

passive — adjective

1. in grammar, describing a verb form where the subject receives the action instead

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

in grammar, describing a verb form where the subject receives the action instead of doing it.

Example

In Carla's homework, 'The cake was eaten' is passive.

predicate adjective after be: the verb is passive

Dr. Wu's lab report sounded formal because every sentence was passive.

common in formal writing

Common collocations
  • passive sentence
  • passive verb
  • passive construction
  • be passive
Antonyms
  • active

    grammar term for forms where the subject does the action

Grammar Patterns

[verb/form/voice] + be + passive

passive + noun (passive sentence, passive verb)

Usage Note

Usually used after a linking verb or before grammar nouns such as 'voice', 'form', and 'sentence'. Distinguish from noun sense 1, where 'the passive' names the grammar pattern itself.

Common Mistakes

The sentence is passive voice.
The sentence is passive.
after 'be', use the adjective 'passive'; 'passive voice' is a noun phrase.

2. quietly letting events or other people control what happens, without trying to l

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

quietly letting events or other people control what happens, without trying to lead, resist, or change things.

Example

Mia stayed passive while her friends chose the restaurant.

stay/remain passive

A passive school board let the chair cut the music budget.

passive + group or institution

Common collocations
  • passive role
  • passive attitude
  • remain passive
  • passive audience
Synonyms
  • inactive

    emphasises not doing much, without the idea of yielding control

  • submissive

    stronger; suggests obeying others and accepting lower power

  • compliant

    focuses on following rules or requests, often without protest

Antonyms
  • active

    taking part and trying to influence events

  • assertive

    willing to speak up and push for your own view

Grammar Patterns

be/stay/remain passive

passive + noun (passive role, passive attitude)

Usage Note

Often used with verbs like 'stay', 'remain', and 'become'. It suggests lack of action or resistance, not simple politeness or calmness.

Common Mistakes

The machine is passive, so it uses little power.
The machine is inactive, so it uses little power.
passive describes behaviour or roles, not whether a device is operating.

3. used for money that keeps coming from rent, investments, or similar sources with

3.adjectiveC1
Definition

used for money that keeps coming from rent, investments, or similar sources without daily work from you.

Example

Rent from the small shop gives Elena passive income each month.

fixed phrase: passive income

Mr. Lee hopes dividends will become passive income after he retires.

Common collocations
  • passive income
  • earn passive income
  • generate passive income
  • passive income stream
Synonyms
  • residual

    often used for income that continues after earlier creative or sales work

  • hands-off

    informal; stresses that little daily management is needed

Antonyms
  • earned

    describes money received directly from current work

  • active

    used in finance for income that depends on regular labour

Grammar Patterns

passive income

earn/generate passive income

Usage Note

Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'passive income'. The money usually comes from an asset or earlier work, not from current hours of labour.

Common Mistakes

My salary from the office is passive income.
Rent from my flat is passive income.
normal salary comes from active daily work, so it is not passive income.

passive — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

'Passive' suggests letting things happen without trying to direct or resist them. 'Inactive' is weaker and often only means not doing much, without the idea that someone else has taken control. 'Submissive' is stronger and more personal: it suggests giving in to another person's power or authority. 'Compliant' focuses on following rules, instructions, or requests, often without argument, and it can even sound positive in legal or medical contexts. A passive committee stays quiet while one member leads everything. An inactive committee simply does very little. A submissive worker accepts unfair treatment. A compliant patient follows the doctor's advice carefully.

passive ↗inactive ↗submissivecompliant ↗

Etymology

LatinLate LatinFrenchEnglish

Passive comes from Latin roots connected with the idea of suffering or receiving an action rather than doing one. It developed through Late Latin and French before entering English. That older meaning still explains both the grammar use, where the subject receives the action, and the everyday use, where a person lets events happen without taking control.