act

The word “act” means to do something; to take action. In plain terms, to do something, or (as a noun) the thing that was done — used for everyday actions, performances, and formal laws alike.

“Act” is pronounced akt (/ækt/ in IPA).

Here is “act” used in a sentence: “The council must act quickly before the situation worsens.”

Depending on how it is used, “act” can be a verb and a noun.

The word “act” comes from Latin. From Old French acte, from Latin acta ("things done, register of events"), from agere ("to do, to drive").

“Act” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Act” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to do something; to take action.

To act is to do something on your own initiative — you start the action, as in 'we must act now.' To react is to respond to something that has already happened — 'she reacted to the news.' Acting leads and drives events; reacting follows and answers them. One begins; the other replies.

Do is the general word for carrying out any task — 'do the dishes.' Act stresses taking deliberate, often decisive action, especially in response to a situation — 'the government must act.' Act can also mean to behave — 'he acted strangely' — a sense do does not carry on its own.

To act on something is to take action based on it. You act on advice, information, a warning or an instinct — 'the police acted on a tip-off,' 'she acted on his advice.' It means you did not just receive the information but used it as the reason for doing something.

Act means to do something or take action: 'we need to act quickly,' 'he acted bravely under pressure,' or 'the medicine acts within minutes.' It can also mean to behave in a certain way — 'stop acting like a child' — or to have an effect, as when a force acts on an object.