Definitions
01something done
A1 · Beginner Countable noun
n. a thing that someone does, often to achieve a goal.
n. a specific deed or act performed by an agent, typically with a particular intention or purpose.
日本語:行動※
“We must take action now to protect the environment for our children.”
“The government's swift action in lowering interest rates prevented a total collapse of the housing market during the crisis.”
Antonyms
02excitement or activity
A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun
n. fast-paced or exciting events, especially in a movie or story.
n. the series of events in a narrative, or a state of high-energy activity and excitement.
日本語:アクション※
“I prefer action movies because they are more exciting than dramas.”
“The novel's action shifts rapidly between London and Paris, keeping the reader engaged through constant plot developments.”
Synonyms
03mechanical movement
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the way a machine or instrument moves when you use it.
n. the mechanism or mode of functioning of a mechanical device, such as a piano or a firearm.
日本語:動作※
“The piano has a very light action, making it easy to play fast.”
“The gunsmith adjusted the rifle's action to ensure the bolt moved smoothly without catching on the casing.”
04military combat
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Military
n. fighting between soldiers in a war.
n. armed conflict or engagement between opposing military forces.
“The young soldier saw action for the first time during the border conflict.”
“Several units were decorated for their bravery after seeing intense action during the liberation of the capital city.”
Antonyms
05legal process
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Formal
n. a legal case or a lawsuit in a court of law.
n. a judicial proceeding or lawsuit brought by one party against another.
“They decided to bring a legal action against the company for breach of contract.”
“The plaintiff initiated a civil action seeking damages for the emotional distress caused by the defendant's negligence.”
Synonyms
06natural process
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Science
n. the effect that a natural force has on something over time.
n. the process or effect of a natural force or chemical substance on an object.
“The action of the waves slowly turned the rocks into sand.”
“The digestive action of the enzymes breaks down complex proteins into simpler amino acids that the body can absorb.”
07sexual intercourse
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Slang · Informal
n. a slang way to talk about having sex.
n. a colloquial euphemism for sexual activity or intercourse.
“He was hoping to get some action after their third date.”
“The film's protagonist spent most of the night at the bar looking for some action but went home alone.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “action” in context.
Real-World Examples
“Anthropic published a report about investigating “unintended model actions” during “evaluations and internal use.” “White House officials said they were briefed on the agents’ actions on Friday, and demanded that AI companies immediately report rogue AI activity.” “The joint intervention, announced by Japan's finance ministry and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, was the first since 2011's coordinated action to weaken the yen following a devastating earthquake in eastern Japan.” “The U.S. Federal Reserve announced on Thursday it had terminated the enforcement action it imposed on Wells Fargo following the bank's widespread fake accounts scandal, saying the bank had sufficiently overhauled its operations.” Etymology
From Middle English accioun, accion, from Old French aucion, acciun, from Latin āctiō(n) (“act of doing or making”), from āct(us) + action suffix -iō(n), perfect passive participle of agere (“do, act”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti. See also act, active. By surface analysis, act + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Idioms
The word in film
Poster shown under fair use for identification and commentary.
Action Jackson · 1988 · Action
- Directed by:
- Craig R. Baxley
- Starring:
- Carl Weathers, Craig T. Nelson, Vanity, Sharon Stone, Thomas F. Wilson
In this 1988 film, the word means exciting, fast events such as chases and fights. The title names the action genre directly, and the story is built around that kind of excitement.
In Literature
Cover shown under fair use for identification and commentary.
The Semi-Closed Openings in Action · 1990 · Non-fiction
- Author:
- Anatoly Karpov
Semi-Closed Openings in Action is a chess book for intermediate players. It shows how semi-closed openings are played in real games, so the word action names the moves and plans in use on the board. Readers learn how these openings work in practice.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/action
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「日本語」「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR