# actively

/ˈæktɪvɫi/ (US) · /ˈæktɪvli/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. with energy and effort

adverb · CEFR B2

doing something with energy, focus, and a clear plan rather than just letting things happen.

For teachers: in an energetic, diligent, or intentional manner; involving direct participation rather than passive observation.

- The company is actively looking for new employees to join the team this summer.
- Despite the economic downturn, the local council is actively seeking investment to revitalise the historic city centre.

Usage: Often placed before the verb it modifies to emphasise intentionality.

### 2. grammar

adverb · CEFR C1 · Technical · Academic

using the active form of a verb, where the subject does the action.

For teachers: expressed in the active voice rather than the passive voice.

- In this sentence, the verb is used actively because the subject performs the action.
- The student was advised to rewrite the paragraph more actively to ensure the agent of each action remained clear to the reader.

Usage: Used primarily in linguistic or grammatical analysis.

Teaching tip: This sense is highly technical; learners should focus on sense 1 for everyday communication.

## Examples

- She is actively looking for a new job.
- The local government is actively encouraging residents to recycle more by providing free bins.
- While many investors merely track the market index, some prefer to actively manage their portfolios to capitalize on short-term price fluctuations.

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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.