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act

act

 
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
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
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
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
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
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
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
phrase: clean up one's act, get one's act together
 
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
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
definition 3: to perform duties.
He's acting as leader of the group now.
synonyms:
function, operate, perform, serve
similar words:
officiate, work
definition 4: to produce an effect.
The drug acts quickly.
synonyms:
behave, function, operate, perform, take, work
similar words:
react
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
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
 
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
definition 2: to pretend to be; behave as.
He is always acting the martyr.
synonyms:
feign, simulate
similar words:
affect, assume, counterfeit, play, pretend
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
phrase: act up
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  art, film, music, theater