# active

/ˈæktɪv/ (US) · /ˈæktɪv/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. physically busy

adjective · CEFR A2

doing a lot of things and moving around often.

For teachers: characterised by energetic movement or constant engagement in physical or social activities.

- Even at eighty years old, my grandfather remains very active and walks every morning.
- The community centre offers various programmes designed to keep senior citizens socially and physically active throughout their retirement.

### 2. currently working

adjective · CEFR B1

functioning or in use right now.

For teachers: currently operational, in force, or functioning as intended.

- Is your account still active, or did you close it last month?
- The volcano is still considered active, although it has not produced a major eruption for several decades.

### 3. grammar

adjective · CEFR B1 · Academic

a type of sentence where the person or thing doing the action is the subject.

For teachers: relating to the voice of a verb where the subject is the doer of the action.

- In the sentence 'The cat chased the mouse,' the verb is in the active voice.
- The editor advised the author to use the active voice to make the narrative more direct and engaging for the reader.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun 'voice' or used to describe a specific verb form.

### 4. involved in a role

adjective · CEFR B2

taking a lead or busy part in a specific group or activity.

For teachers: participating effectively or having a practical effect in a specific context.

- She takes an active role in the school's parent-teacher association.
- The government must take an active interest in renewable energy if it hopes to meet its climate targets by the end of the decade.

### 5. sexual role

adjective · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

a term used to describe the partner who takes the leading or penetrating role during sex.

For teachers: denoting the partner who performs penetration during sexual intercourse.

- He described himself as active when talking about his dating preferences.
- The survey included questions about sexual health for men who take an active role in same-sex relationships.

Teaching tip: This term is common in LGBTQ+ contexts; learners should be aware it is informal and specifically refers to sexual roles.

### 6. electronics

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a part of a machine or circuit that can change or control electricity.

For teachers: a circuit component, such as a transistor, capable of controlling voltages or currents to produce gain.

- The engineer replaced the active components on the circuit board to fix the signal.
- Active devices require an external power source to operate, unlike resistors or capacitors which are purely passive.

## Examples

- She stays active by walking to work every morning.
- The volcano is still active, so tourists are not allowed to hike near the crater for safety reasons.
- Maintaining an active lifestyle is essential for long-term health, as regular physical engagement helps prevent many chronic conditions associated with a sedentary routine.

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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.