adj
Uncommon
proactive
proh-AK-tihv
Proactive (adj) means taking action ahead of time to prevent or prepare for a problem, rather than just reacting once it happens. Example: “The company took a proactive approach to cybersecurity instead of waiting for a breach.”
adj
1
Taking action ahead of time to prevent or prepare for a problem, rather than just reacting once it happens.
"The company took a proactive approach to cybersecurity instead of waiting for a breach."
"Being proactive about your health means going for checkups before anything feels wrong."
How to use proactive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishActing ahead of a problem instead of just responding after it happens.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
proactive approach
be proactive about
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more proactive
- Superlative
- most proactive
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company took a _____ approach to cybersecurity instead of waiting for a breach.
Etymology
Coined in 1933 by psychologists Paul Whiteley and Gerald Blankfort, later popularized in the 1946 book "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl, deliberately as the opposite of "reactive."
Class of 1933
proactive joined the language around 1933.
See the full Class of 1933 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
retroactive
reactive
Related words
Rhymes for proactive
See all rhymes for proactive →Frequently asked questions
What does “proactive” mean?
The word “proactive” means taking action ahead of time to prevent or prepare for a problem, rather than just reacting once it happens. In plain terms, acting ahead of a problem instead of just responding after it happens.
How do you pronounce “proactive”?
“Proactive” is pronounced proh-AK-tihv (/pɹoʊˈæk.tɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “proactive” in a sentence?
Here is “proactive” used in a sentence: “The company took a proactive approach to cybersecurity instead of waiting for a breach.”
What is the opposite of “proactive”?
The opposite of “proactive” — its antonyms — is reactive.
What part of speech is “proactive”?
“Proactive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “proactive” come from?
The word “proactive” dates back to around 1933. Coined in 1933 by psychologists Paul Whiteley and Gerald Blankfort, later popularized in the 1946 book "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl, deliberately as the opposite of "reactive.".
Is “proactive” a common word?
“Proactive” is an uncommon word in modern English.
