verb

act

akt

verb

To do something; to take action.

"The council must act quickly before the situation worsens."

To perform a role in a play, film, or show.

"She has acted in several award-winning films."

To behave in a particular way.

"He acted as if nothing had happened."

noun

Something done; a deed.

"It was an act of kindness that no one will forget."

A law passed by a legislative body.

"Parliament passed the act after months of debate."

One of the main divisions of a play.

"The murder takes place in the second act."

How to Use Act

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo do something, or (as a noun) the thing that was done — used for everyday actions, performances, and formal laws alike.

Common pairings

act quickly an act of pass an act

acted past tense, act plural, acted plural, acts singular, act singular, acted singular, actest singular, actedst singular, acteth singular

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The council must _____ quickly before the situation worsens.

From Old French acte, from Latin acta ("things done, register of events"), from agere ("to do, to drive").

fact pact tact tract enact exact react impact intact attract contact extract