English Reference
verb · noun

interact

v. · n.
US /ˌɪnɝˈækt/ UK /ˌɪntəɹˈækt/ in·ter·act UK spelling interacted, interacts

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    v.to talk to other people and work together with them.

    v.to communicate with or react to others in a social or professional context.

    Simple

    The teacher encouraged the students to interact with each other during the group project.

    In context

    The conference provides a valuable opportunity for junior researchers to interact with established experts in their field.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'with'.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Science

    v.when two things have an effect on each other.

    v.to act upon one another so as to produce a reciprocal effect.

    Simple

    You should check if these two cleaning chemicals interact in a dangerous way.

    In context

    The study examines how different atmospheric pollutants interact to accelerate the degradation of urban monuments.

    Usage

    The verb is intransitive and typically takes the preposition 'with'.

  3. 03 C2 Proficiency Archaic Theatre

    n.a short performance or break between the main parts of a play.

    n.a short act or musical piece performed between the main acts of a play.

    Simple

    The audience enjoyed a brief musical interact before the final scene of the drama.

    In context

    The director inserted a stylized interact to allow for a complex costume change between the second and third acts.

    Teacher's tip

    This noun sense is very rare in modern English; students will almost always encounter 'interact' as a verb.

Usage interact with

They also add important detail to scientists' understanding of how diet interacts with the microbiome.

ScienceDaily· 15 Aug 2026

The new arrivals first interacted with other whales already at the aquarium through gates to find the best aquatic roommates, he said.

Phys.org· 15 Aug 2026

From inter- + act.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated