action
AK-shuhn
Action (noun) means the process of doing something, especially to achieve a purpose. Example: “The company took swift action to fix the problem.”
noun
1
The process of doing something, especially to achieve a purpose.
"The company took swift action to fix the problem."
"His words were followed by immediate action."
"Quick action by the lifeguard saved the swimmer."
2
Exciting or fast-paced activity, especially in a film or story.
"The movie is packed with car chases and action."
"Fans of the series love its fast action scenes and chases."
"The first half hour has plenty of action, then the story slows down."
3
A formal legal proceeding; a lawsuit.
"The company filed a legal action against its former partner."
"She brought an action against the builder for the damaged roof."
"The court dismissed the action because the evidence was weak."
4
The mechanism of a device, such as a firearm or musical instrument, that makes it work.
"The gunsmith cleaned and oiled the rifle's action."
"The piano has a smooth action that makes quiet playing easy."
"A stiff action makes this old stapler hard to use."
How to use action
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoing something to get a result — or, in other senses, exciting activity, a lawsuit, or the moving parts of a mechanism.
Common pairings
take action
legal action
action-packed
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Word forms
- Plural
- actions
- Third person singular
- actions
- Past tense
- actioned
- Comparative
- more action
- Superlative
- most action
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company took swift _____ to fix the problem.
Etymology
From Old French accion/aucion, from Latin actio(n)- ("a doing"), from agere ("to do, act").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for action
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for action →
Frequently asked questions
What does “action” mean?
The word “action” means the process of doing something, especially to achieve a purpose. In plain terms, doing something to get a result — or, in other senses, exciting activity, a lawsuit, or the moving parts of a mechanism.
How do you pronounce “action”?
“Action” is pronounced AK-shuhn (/ˈækʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “action” in a sentence?
Here is “action” used in a sentence: “The company took swift action to fix the problem.”
What is another word for “action”?
Words with a similar meaning to “action” include act, acting, cocky, deed and doing.
What is the opposite of “action”?
The opposite of “action” — its antonyms — are inaction and omission.
What part of speech is “action”?
“Action” is a noun.
Where does the word “action” come from?
The word “action” comes from Latin. From Old French accion/aucion, from Latin actio(n)- ("a doing"), from agere ("to do, act").
Is “action” a common word?
“Action” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between action and activity?
An action is a single deed done to achieve a purpose, like sending an email. An activity is a broader or ongoing occupation, often made up of many actions, like running a business or playing sport. Action stresses the specific doing; activity stresses the general state of being busy.
What is the difference between action and reaction?
An action is something you initiate deliberately to achieve a purpose. A reaction is a response triggered by something else that has already happened. Action comes first and is driven by your own aim; reaction follows and is prompted from outside. Choosing to act rather than merely react is often praised.
What is the opposite of action?
The main opposite is inaction — choosing not to do anything, or failing to act when you could. Related opposites include inactivity, idleness, and passivity. Where action means actively doing something to reach a goal, inaction means holding back, and it can carry consequences of its own.
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