What does "interact" mean?

1. (social communication) to talk to other people and work together with them. 2. (physical/chemical effect) when two things have an effect on each other. 3. (theatrical break) a short performance or break between the main parts of a play.

How do you use "interact"?

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

interact

v. · n.

US //ˌɪnɝˈækt// UK //ˌɪntəɹˈækt// in·ter·act

1 social communication (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to talk to other people and work together with them.

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

Example

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

Example

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

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'with'.
- ignore
- avoid
2 physical/chemical effect (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Science

when two things have an effect on each other.

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

Example

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

Example

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'.
- affect
- react

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3 theatrical break (n.)
C2 Proficiency Archaic Theatre

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

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

Example

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

Example

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.

Origin

From inter- + act.