active

Topic: GRAMMAR

Date:	1300-1400
Language:	Latin
Origin:	activus, from agere; ACT¹

active
1 adjective

ac‧tive1 S2 W2 See pronunciation table in "How to use dictionary" pages

1DS

busy

always busy doing things, especially physical activities [≠ inactive]:

Look up a word starting with D or S for samples of headword or sentence pronunciations on the LDOCE CD-ROM

games for active youngsters

She's over 80, but is still very active.

active life/lifestyle

My father always led a very active life.

active mind/imagination

a child with a very active imagination

involved

involved in an organization or activity and doing lots of practical things to achieve your aims:

He became politically active at college.

be active in (doing) something

The Bureau is active in promoting overseas investment.

take/play an active part/role in something

Encourage students to take an active part in discussions.

She took an active interest in local charities.

active participation/involvement

the importance of active participation by elderly people in the life of the community

We're taking active steps (=doing practical things) to deal with the problem.

We maintain active links with other European universities.

active member/supporter

functioning

operating in a way that is normal or expected [≠ inactive]:

The virus is active even at low temperatures.

doing something

doing something regularly:

sexually active teenagers

volcano

an active volcano is likely to explode at any time:

The volcano became active last year with a series of eruptions.

grammar

SLG an active verb or sentence has the person or thing doing the action as its subject. In 'The boy kicked the ball', the verb 'kick' is active ➔ passive1 (2)

7HC

chemical

producing a chemical reaction:

nicotine, the active ingredient in tobacco

—actively adverb:

Carol was actively involved in the local sports club.

Definition of active from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English within
the topic GRAMMAR