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- pronunciation:
- aekt
- parts of speech:
- noun, intransitive verb, transitive verb
- phrases:
- act up, clean up one's act, get one's act together
- features:
- Word Combinations (noun, verb), Word Explorer
| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
something done, esp. a specific instance; deed.
She will be remembered for her tremendous acts of courage.- synonyms:
- action, deed
- similar words:
- accomplishment, achievement, activity, conduct, doing, execution, exploit, feat, move, performance, proceeding, task, thing, transaction, turn, undertaking, work
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| definition 2: |
the process of doing something.
The store manager caught him in the act of shoplifting.- synonyms:
- action, operation, practice, process
- similar words:
- doing, execution, exercise, labor, performance, production, work
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| definition 3: |
behavior that is a pretense, sometimes insincere or meant to deceive.
His clowning around is just an act to mask his fear.He put on an act to impress her.- synonyms:
- affectation, fake, pose, pretense, pretension, sham, show
- similar words:
- counterfeit, front, posture
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| definition 4: |
a single performance, usu. by a musician, comedian, or other entertainer, sometimes as part of a larger program of performances.
The magician worked hard to improve his act.- synonyms:
- performance, routine, show
- similar words:
- bit, sketch, skit, stand
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| definition 5: |
a major division of a drama, esp. of a play or opera.
Her character is murdered in the first act of the play.- similar words:
- division, episode, narrative, scene, segment, sketch, vignette
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| definition 6: |
a law passed by a governing body.
The polluters are violating the Clean Air Act.- synonyms:
- enactment, law, resolution, ruling
- similar words:
- declaration, decree, determination, dictum, edict, judgment, legislation, mandate, ordinance, proclamation, pronouncement, regulation, rule, statute, verdict
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| related words: |
attainment, bill, effort, movement, trick |
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| phrase: |
clean up one's act, get one's act together |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| inflections: |
acts, acting, acted |
| definition 1: |
to do something with purpose or energy.
He acted with great courage in battle.- synonyms:
- function, operate, perform, work
- similar words:
- behave, deal, engage, go, move, run
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| definition 2: |
to behave or conduct oneself in a particular manner.
She told her teenage son that he was acting like a baby.At first, he found it hard to act naturally in front of the cameras.- synonyms:
- behave
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| definition 3: |
to perform duties.
He's acting as leader of the group now.- synonyms:
- function, operate, perform, serve
- similar words:
- officiate, work
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| definition 4: |
to produce an effect.
The drug acts quickly.- synonyms:
- behave, function, operate, perform, take, work
- similar words:
- react
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| definition 5: |
to play a role in a film or play, or on television or radio.
She acted in the school play this year.
- similar words:
- dance, ham, perform, play, sing
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| definition 6: |
to behave with pretense, either playfully or to deceive.
He acted innocent despite his guilt.The children like to act silly with each other.She acted brave so that she wouldn't worry her family.- synonyms:
- counterfeit, fake, feign, pretend, sham
- similar words:
- bluff, malinger, masquerade, pose, put on
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| related words: |
behave, conduct, counterfeit, do, operate, pretend, respond, serve, sham |
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| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| definition 1: |
to play (the role of), as in a drama.
He is acting the part of Hamlet again this season.- synonyms:
- enact, perform, play
- similar words:
- pretend, represent
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| definition 2: |
to pretend to be; behave as.
He is always acting the martyr.- synonyms:
- feign, simulate
- similar words:
- affect, assume, counterfeit, play, pretend
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| related words: |
acquit, behave, represent, sham, simulate |
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| phrase: |
act up |
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