actively

The word “actively” means in a way that involves energetic or deliberate effort, rather than passively. In plain terms, doing something with deliberate, ongoing effort rather than just letting it happen.

“Actively” is pronounced AK-tihv-lee (/ˈæktɪvli/ in IPA).

Here is “actively” used in a sentence: “The company is actively recruiting new engineers.”

“Actively” is an adverb.

“Actively” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

'Actively' describes doing something with energetic or deliberate effort, while 'passively' describes accepting or allowing something without taking action. For example, actively listening means engaging and responding, whereas passively listening means simply hearing without real involvement.

'Actively' means putting energy and deliberate effort into something as it happens, while 'proactively' adds the idea of acting in advance to prepare for or prevent a future situation. You can actively work on a current task, but you behave proactively when you anticipate problems before they arise.

'Actively' is often paired with verbs and participles such as seeking, pursuing, involved, engaged, encouraging, and looking, as in 'actively seeking work' or 'actively involved in the project'. It usually sits just before the verb or participle it describes.

As an adverb, 'actively' normally comes directly before the main verb, as in 'she actively supports the cause', or before a past participle such as 'actively encouraged'. This placement stresses that the action is done with deliberate effort rather than by chance.