Word
passively
Phoneticspas·sive·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpæsɪvɫi/
UK/pˈɑːsɪvli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. doing something without taking action or trying to change a situation. You use this when you let things happen to you instead of being in control.
adv. in a manner that accepts or allows what happens or what others do, without active response or resistance. In a linguistic context, it describes a construction where the subject is the recipient of the action.
Examples
“He sat passively while the others did all the work.”
“The students listened passively to the lecture without asking any questions or taking notes.”
“By accepting the terms so passively, the committee effectively signed away their right to negotiate any future amendments to the contract.”
Examples
simple
“He sat passively while the others did all the work.”
contextual
“The students listened passively to the lecture without asking any questions or taking notes.”
complex
“By accepting the terms so passively, the committee effectively signed away their right to negotiate any future amendments to the contract.”
Usage
Typically follows the verb it modifies or appears at the end of the clause.
Real-World Examples
“Passively scrolling through social media feeds or watching one short video after another exposes users to a rapid stream of changing information.” “We had two situations – one corner kick and one attacking [move] – when we defended too passively.” Etymology
From passive + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/passively