active

Universal Words adjective, noun adjective busy 1 always busy doing things, especially physical activities: Although he's nearly 80, he is still very active. * Before our modern age, people had a more physical and active lifestyle. taking part 2 involved in sth; making a determined effort and not leaving sth to happen by itself: They were both politically active. * active involvement / participation / support / resistance * She takes an active part in school life. * The parents were active in campaigning against cuts to the education budget. * They took active steps to prevent the spread of the disease. doing an activity 3 doing sth regularly; functioning: sexually active teenagers * animals that are active only at night * The virus is still active in the blood. * an active volcano (= likely to ERUPT) lively 4 lively and full of ideas: That child has a very active imagination. chemical 5 having or causing a chemical effect: What is the active ingredient in aspirin? grammar 6 connected with a verb whose subject is the person or thing that performs the action: In 'He was driving the car', the verb is active. comparePASSIVE actively adverb: Your proposal is being actively considered. * She was actively looking for a job. noun (also active voice) [sing.] the form of a verb in which the subject is the person or thing that performs the action: In 'She drove the car', 'she' is the subject and the verb 'drove' is in the active. comparePASSIVE