act
7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for act, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To do something; to take action.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use act
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French acte, from Latin acta ("things done, register of events"), from agere ("to do, to drive").
Full origin of act →Frequently asked questions
What does “act” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “act”?
“Act” is pronounced akt (/ækt/ in IPA).
How do you use “act” in a sentence?
Here is “act” used in a sentence: “The council must act quickly before the situation worsens.”
What part of speech is “act”?
Depending on how it is used, “act” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “act” come from?
The word “act” comes from Latin. From Old French acte, from Latin acta ("things done, register of events"), from agere ("to do, to drive").
Is “act” a common word?
“Act” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “act” have?
“Act” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to do something; to take action.
What is the difference between act and react?
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.
What is the difference between act and do?
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.
What does it mean to 'act on' something?
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.
What is an example of 'act' as a verb?
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.