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act1 definition

act (akt)

noun

  1. a thing done; deed
  2. an action; doing caught in the act of stealing
  3. a decision (of a court, legislature, etc.); law; decree
  4. a document formally stating what has been done, made into law, etc.
  5. one of the main divisions of a drama or opera
  6. any of the separate performances on a variety program
  7. a show of feeling or behavior that is not sincere and is put on just for effect

Etymology: ME < OFr acte < L actus, a doing or moving, actum, thing done, pp. of agere, to do < IE base *a-, to drive, do > Gr agein, to lead

transitive verb

  1. to play the part of
  2. to perform in (a play)
  3. to behave in a way suitable for don't act the child

Etymology: ME acten < L actus: see actthe

intransitive verb

  1. to perform in a play, film, etc.; play a role
  2. to behave as though playing a role
  3. to be suited to performance: said of a play or a role
  4. to behave; comport oneself act like a lady
  5. to do something we must act now to forestall disaster
  6. to serve or function the fence acts as a barrier
  7. to serve as spokesman or substitute (for) he's acting for the committee
  8. to have an effect acids act on metal
  9. to appear to be he acted very angry
act Idioms

act out

Psychiatry to behave in a way that unconsciously expresses (feelings that were repressed in an earlier situation)

act up

☆ Informal
  1. to be playful
  2. to misbehave
  3. to become inflamed, painful, etc.

clean up one's act

☆
Informal to reform one's conduct, improve one's practices, etc.

get one's act together

☆
Informal to organize one's ideas, procedures, etc. so as to function more effectively
act2 definition

act

active
ACT definition

ACT

American College Test

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms act idiom

law act definition - legal

act Synonyms

act

n.

  1. An action

    action, deed, performance, exploit; see action 2.

  2. An official or legal statement

    law, proposal, judgment, commitment, verdict, amendment, order, announcement, edict, ordinance, decree, statute, writ, bull, warrant, summons, subpoena, document, bill, code, clause, law of the land*.

  3. A division of a play

    scene, curtain, prologue, epilogue, introduction, entr'acte, interlude, finale, unit of dramatic action.

  4. A short performance in a show

    routine, performance, number, bit, sketch, skit, monologue, curtain raiser, appearance, turn, stand-up routine, shtick*.

  5. A pose

    falsification, feigning, affectation, pose; see pose, pretense 1.


act

v.

  1. To perform an action

    do, execute, carry out, carry on, perform, operate, transact, accomplish, achieve, consummate, carry into effect, perpetrate, persevere, persist, labor, work, run, function, officiate, preside, serve, go ahead, take action, go about, step into, take steps, play a part, take a part, begin, move, proceed, enforce, maneuver, be in process, be in action, create, practice, deal in, prosecute, develop, make progress, be active, take effect, produce an effect, commit, fight, combat, respond, keep going, answer, pursue, put forth energy, hustle*, get going*, pull*, do one's stuff*, get down to brass tacks*; see also perform 1.

    Antonyms wait*, await*, rest. *

  2. To conduct oneself

    behave, seem, appear, carry oneself, acquit oneself, comport oneself, bear oneself, handle oneself, demean oneself, give the appearance of, represent oneself as, take on, play one's part, impress one as, cut a figure*; see also behave 2.

  3. To play a role in or as if in a play

    perform, play, playact, impersonate, personate, represent, enact, act out, simulate, live over, pretend, mimic, mime, pantomime, burlesque, parody, feign, fake, portray, render the role of, create a role, rehearse, take a part, dramatize, star, spout, rant, declaim, overact, play the part of, act the part of, make one's debut, masquerade as, put on airs*, put on an act*, tread the boards*, strut one's stuff*, ham*, emote*, mug*, chew the scenery*, throw a performance*; see also pretend 1, 2.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

act Usage Examples

Preposition: on

  • behalf: The former is concerned to act on behalf of the mass of the peasantry.

Preposition: as

  • catalyst: The Council strongly believes to ensure consistency, and act as a catalyst, that the districts contribution to partnerships should be routinely judged.

Adjective modifier

  • terrorist: Sometimes governments justify their own terrorist acts by labeling any groups that resist their monopoly of violence " terrorist " .

Converse of object

  • commit: He decided to proceed with a lesser charge of committing an act likely to assist the enemy.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • upon: Any advice that you receive or act upon is done entirely at your own free will.

Preposition: in

  • accordance: Mr Blair last month said Britain " will always act in accordance with international law " .

Preposition: of

  • terrorism: Everyone everywhere condemns without reservation the act of terrorism.

Preposition: with

  • impunity: The story wasn't news anymore and without the press around the security acted with impunity.

Noun used with modifier

  • headline: Headline act Beluga from Deeside showed they are extremely competent musicians.
act usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

act quotes

Save something for theThird Act.

-Anonymous

We loved your play.We only have problems with your main character, the second act and the ending.

-Anonymous

It is acting inits purest form.You havetoact with youreyes.

-Bonham Carter, Helena

act quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"act." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/act>

APA Style

act. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/act

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