# acts

/ˈæks/ (US) · /ˈækts/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/acts
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. things people do

noun · CEFR A2

things that people do, especially when they are helpful or brave.

For teachers: plural of 'act' in the sense of deeds or actions performed by an individual.

- The community rewarded her for her many acts of kindness.
- The report documented several acts of bravery by the rescue team during the flood.

### 2. parts of a play

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: the major divisions of a dramatic work, such as a play, opera, or musical.

- The play has three acts with a short break in the middle.
- The tension builds steadily through the first two acts before reaching a climax in the final scene.

### 3. laws

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

formal laws that have been passed by a government.

For teachers: formal legislative decisions or laws passed by a parliament or similar body.

- The government passed several new acts to protect the environment.
- Legal scholars debated the implications of the various acts passed during the previous administration.

## Examples

- The hero is known for his brave acts.
- The play is divided into three acts with a short break between each one.
- Historians often judge leaders not by their stated intentions but by their concrete acts during times of national crisis.

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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.