# act

/ˈækt/ (US) · /ˈækt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/act
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to do something

verb · CEFR A1

to take action or do something for a specific reason.

For teachers: to take action or exert energy in order to achieve a specific result. Often used intransitively.

- The police had to act quickly to stop the thief from escaping.
- The emergency services must act decisively when a natural disaster strikes to minimize the loss of life and property.

### 2. theatre/film

verb · CEFR A2

to perform a part in a play, movie, or television show.

For teachers: to perform a fictional role in a dramatic production. Can be used transitively with a role as the object or intransitively.

- She has wanted to act in a Hollywood movie since she was a child.
- He was chosen to act the part of the protagonist because of his ability to convey complex emotions without speaking.

### 3. to behave

verb · CEFR B1

to behave in a particular way.

For teachers: to conduct oneself or behave in a specified manner, often temporarily or falsely.

- Stop acting like a child and help me clean the kitchen.
- The suspect began acting suspiciously as soon as the investigators mentioned the missing documents.

### 4. a deed or thing done

noun · CEFR A2

something that someone does.

For teachers: a single thing done; a deed or action.

- Giving her seat to the elderly man was a kind act.
- The charity described the donation as a selfless act of generosity that would fund the project for a year.

### 5. a law

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a law that has been officially passed by a government.

For teachers: a formal decision or law passed by a legislative body. Often capitalized when referring to a specific law.

- The new Act of Parliament will change how taxes are collected.
- The Clean Air Act was introduced to regulate industrial emissions and improve public health in urban areas.

### 6. part of a play

noun · CEFR B1

one of the main parts that a play or opera is divided into.

For teachers: a major division of a dramatic work, such as a play, ballet, or opera.

- The hero doesn't appear until the second act of the play.
- The tension builds throughout the first act, culminating in a dramatic confrontation just before the intermission.

### 7. a performance or show

noun · CEFR B1

a short performance or a person/group that performs as part of a larger show.

For teachers: a short performance or one of several performances in a variety show or circus.

- The circus had a very funny clown act that the children loved.
- The festival organizers are still looking for a headline act to close the main stage on Sunday night.

## Examples

- The government passed a new act to protect the environment.
- Under the new act, small businesses receive a tax break for hiring local graduates.
- The legislative act was designed to consolidate various existing regulations into a single, coherent framework for national security.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.