ACT

Pronunciation (US):

• ACT (noun)
  The noun ACT has 5 senses:

1. a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
2. something that people do or cause to happen
3. a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet
4. a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program
5. a manifestation of insincerity

  Familiarity information: ACT used as a noun is common.

• ACT (verb)
  The verb ACT has 10 senses:

1. perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
2. behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself
3. play a role or part
4. discharge one's duties
5. pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
6. be suitable for theatrical performance
7. have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected
8. be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure
9. behave unnaturally or affectedly
10. perform on a stage or theater

  Familiarity information: ACT used as a verb is familiar.

• ACT (noun)

Sense 1

act [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

A legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

act; enactment

Hypernyms ("act" is a kind of...):

instrument; legal document; legal instrument; official document ((law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right)

Domain category:

jurisprudence; law (the collection of rules imposed by authority)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "act"):

legislative act; statute (an act passed by a legislative body)

decree; edict; fiat; order; rescript (a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge))

nullity (something that is null (especially an enactment that has no legal validity))

Sense 2

act [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Something that people do or cause to happen

Classified under:

Nouns with no superordinates

Synonyms:

human action; human activity; act

Hypernyms ("act" is a kind of...):

event (something that happens at a given place and time)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "act"):

speech act (the use of language to perform some act)

abidance; residence; residency (the act of dwelling in a place)

inactivity (being inactive; being less active)

hinderance; hindrance; interference (the act of hindering or obstructing or impeding)

stop; stoppage (the act of stopping something)

group action (action taken by a group of people)

distribution (the act of distributing or spreading or apportioning)

legitimation (the act of rendering a person legitimate)

permissive waste; waste ((law) reduction in the value of an estate caused by act or neglect)

proclamation; promulgation (the formal act of proclaiming; giving public notice)

communicating; communication (the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information)

stay (continuing or remaining in a place or state)

production (the act or process of producing something)

assessment; judgement; judgment (the act of judging or assessing a person or situation or event)

action (something done (usually as opposed to something said))

nonaccomplishment; nonachievement (an act that does not achieve its intended goal)

leaning (the act of deviating from a vertical position)

motivating; motivation (the act of motivating; providing incentive)

assumption (the act of assuming or taking for granted)

rejection (the act of rejecting something)

forfeit; forfeiture; sacrifice (the act of losing or surrendering something as a penalty for a mistake or fault or failure to perform etc.)

derivation (the act of deriving something or obtaining something from a source or origin)

activity (any specific behavior)

hire (the act of hiring something or someone)

wear; wearing (the act of having on your person as a covering or adornment)

Sense 3

act [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

A subdivision of a play or opera or ballet

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("act" is a kind of...):

dramatic composition; dramatic work (a play for performance on the stage or television or in a movie etc.)

Meronyms (parts of "act"):

scene (a subdivision of an act of a play)

Holonyms ("act" is a part of...):

opera (a drama set to music; consists of singing with orchestral accompaniment and an orchestral overture and interludes)

drama; dramatic play; play (a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage)

ballet; concert dance (a theatrical representation of a story that is performed to music by trained dancers)

Sense 4

act [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

A short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

routine; number; act; bit; turn

Context examples:

he did his act three times every evening / she had a catchy little routine / it was one of the best numbers he ever did

Hypernyms ("act" is a kind of...):

performance; public presentation (a dramatic or musical entertainment)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "act"):

show-stopper; showstopper; stopper (an act so striking or impressive that the show must be delayed until the audience quiets down)

Sense 5

act [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

A manifestation of insincerity

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Context example:

he put on quite an act for her benefit

Hypernyms ("act" is a kind of...):

expression; manifestation; reflection; reflexion (expression without words)

• ACT (verb)

Sense 1

act [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

act; move

Context examples:

think before you act / We must move quickly / The governor should act on the new energy bill / The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "act"):

continue; persist in (do something repeatedly and showing no intention to stop)

contend; cope; deal; get by; grapple; make do; make out; manage (come to terms or deal successfully with)

rampage (act violently, recklessly, or destructively)

commit; perpetrate; pull (perform an act, usually with a negative connotation)

prosecute (conduct a prosecution in a court of law)

anticipate; counter; foresee; forestall (act in advance of; deal with ahead of time)

antagonise; antagonize; counteract (act in opposition to)

effect (act so as to bring into existence)

dare (to be courageous enough to try or do something)

court (engage in social activities leading to marriage)

court; romance; solicit; woo (make amorous advances towards)

assay; attempt; essay; seek; try (make an effort or attempt)

behave; comport (behave well or properly)

acquit; bear; behave; carry; comport; conduct; deport (behave in a certain manner)

condescend; lower oneself; stoop (debase oneself morally, act in an undignified, unworthy, or dishonorable way)

misbehave; misconduct; misdemean (behave badly)

participate; take part (share in something)

condescend; deign; descend (do something that one considers to be below one's dignity)

condescend (behave in a patronizing and condescending manner)

continue (continue after an interruption)

do well; had best (act in one's own or everybody's best interest)

continue; go along; go on; keep; proceed (continue a certain state, condition, or activity)

hold back; hold off; wait (wait before acting)

go off at half-cock; go off half-cocked (act prematurely or without reflection or too soon)

begin; start (begin an event that is implied and limited by the nature or inherent function of the direct object)

guard (take precautions in order to avoid some unwanted consequence)

take (carry out)

play (behave in a certain way)

sneak (put, bring, or take in a secretive or furtive manner)

surprise (come upon or take unawares)

repeat; take over (do over)

make a point; make sure (make a point of doing something; act purposefully and intentionally)

stampede (act, usually en masse, hurriedly or on an impulse)

act superior; lord it over; put on airs; queen it over (act like the master of)

take care (be careful, prudent, or watchful)

approach; go about; set about (begin to deal with)

dally; flirt; play; toy (behave carelessly or indifferently)

get around to (do something despite obstacles such as lack of time)

race (to work as fast as possible towards a goal, sometimes in competition with others)

evade (practice evasion)

dispatch (dispose of rapidly and without delay and efficiently)

maneuver; manoeuver; manoeuvre (act in order to achieve a certain goal)

satisfice; staisfise (decide on and pursue a course of action satisfying the minimum requirements to achieve a goal)

pay back; repay; reward (act or give recompense in recognition of someone's behavior or actions)

come forward; come out; come to the fore; step forward; step to the fore; step up (make oneself visible; take action)

create (pursue a creative activity; be engaged in a creative activity)

force (do forcibly; exert force)

aggress; attack (take the initiative and go on the offensive)

go ahead; plow ahead (proceed (with a plan of action))

react; respond (show a response or a reaction to something)

disturb; interrupt (destroy the peace or tranquility of)

festinate; hasten; hurry; look sharp; rush (act or move at high speed)

end up; fetch up; finish; finish up; land up; wind up (finally be or do something)

alternate; take turns (do something in turns)

use (habitually do something (use only in the past tense))

play it by ear (decide on one's actions as one goes along, depending on the situation)

play (act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome)

offer; volunteer (agree freely)

coact (act together, as of organisms)

take time by the forelock (act quickly and decisively; not let slip an opportunity)

oppose; react (act against or in opposition to)

interact (act together or towards others or with others)

act on (regulate one's behavior in accordance with certain information, ideas, or advice)

engage; prosecute; pursue (carry out or participate in an activity; be involved in)

dare; make bold; presume (take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission)

perform (perform a function)

deal (take action with respect to (someone or something))

partner (act as a partner)

exert (make a great effort at a mental or physical task)

egotrip (act in a way that attracts attention)

reciprocate (act, feel, or give mutually or in return)

go; move; proceed (follow a procedure or take a course)

come close (nearly do something)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Antonym:

refrain (resist doing something)

Also:

act on (carry further or advance)

act up (misbehave badly; act in a silly or improper way)

act upon (have and exert influence or effect)

Sense 2

act [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

behave; act; do

Context examples:

You should act like an adult / Don't behave like a fool / What makes her do this way? / The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "act"):

jest; joke (act in a funny or teasing way)

piffle (act in a trivial or ineffective way)

make (behave in a certain way)

make as if (begin or appear to begin an action)

break down; lose it; snap (lose control of one's emotions)

dally; dawdle (waste time)

backslap (display excessive cordiality (towards))

hugger mugger (act stealthily or secretively)

sauce (behave saucy or impudently towards)

footle (act foolishly, as by talking nonsense)

frivol; trifle (act frivolously)

puff up; swell (become filled with pride, arrogance, or anger)

follow (accept and follow the leadership or command or guidance of)

loosen up; relax (become less tense, less formal, or less restrained, and assume a friendlier manner)

rage; ramp; storm (behave violently, as if in state of a great anger)

stooge (act as a stooge, in a compliant or subordinate manner)

act; act as; play (pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind)

act involuntarily; act reflexively (act in an uncontrolled manner)

bend over backwards; fall over backwards (try very hard to please someone)

presume (take liberties or act with too much confidence)

vulgarise; vulgarize (act in a vulgar manner)

optimise; optimize (act as an optimist and take a sunny view of the world)

quack (act as a medical quack or a charlatan)

menace (act in a threatening manner)

make (act in a certain way so as to acquire)

bluster; swagger; swash (act in an arrogant, overly self-assured, or conceited manner)

play; toy (engage in an activity as if it were a game rather than take it seriously)

bungle (spoil by behaving clumsily or foolishly)

sentimentalise; sentimentalize; sentimentise; sentimentize (act in a sentimental way or indulge in sentimental thoughts or expression)

romanticize (act in a romantic way)

wanton (behave extremely cruelly and brutally)

freeze (suddenly behave coldly and formally)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s Adjective

Also:

act up (make itself felt as a recurring pain)

Sense 3

act [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Play a role or part

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

act; play; represent

Context examples:

Gielgud played Hamlet / She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role / She played the servant to her husband's master

Hypernyms (to "act" is one way to...):

re-create (create anew)

Domain category:

performing arts (arts or skills that require public performance)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "act"):

emote (give expression or emotion to, in a stage or movie role)

parody (make a spoof of or make fun of)

impersonate; portray (assume or act the character of)

act out (represent an incident, state, or emotion by action, especially on stage)

act out; enact; reenact (act out; represent or perform as if in a play)

support (play a subordinate role to (another performer))

make; make believe; pretend (represent fictitiously, as in a play, or pretend to be or act like)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sense 4

act [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Discharge one's duties

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Context examples:

She acts as the chair / In what capacity are you acting?

Hypernyms (to "act" is one way to...):

serve (do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "act"):

criticise; criticize (act as a critic)

bank (act as the banker in a game or in gambling)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Sense 5

act [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

act as; act; play

Context examples:

He acted the idiot / She plays deaf when the news are bad

Hypernyms (to "act" is one way to...):

act; behave; do (behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Sense 6

act [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Be suitable for theatrical performance

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Context example:

This scene acts well

Hypernyms (to "act" is one way to...):

be (have the quality of being; (copula, used with an adjective or a predicate noun))

Sentence frame:

Something ----s Adjective/Noun

Sense 7

act [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Synonyms:

work; act

Context examples:

The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought / How does your idea work in practice? / This method doesn't work / The breaks of my new car act quickly / The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water

Hypernyms (to "act" is one way to...):

bring home the bacon; come through; deliver the goods; succeed; win (attain success or reach a desired goal)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Something is ----ing PP

Sense 8

act [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "act"):

play (be at play; be engaged in playful activity; amuse oneself in a way characteristic of children)

drive around (drive without any particular aim)

walk around (walk randomly)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sense 9

act [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Behave unnaturally or affectedly

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

pretend; dissemble; act

Context example:

She's just acting

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "act"):

assume; feign; sham; simulate (make a pretence of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something

Sense 10

act [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Perform on a stage or theater

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Synonyms:

roleplay; playact; act; play

Context examples:

She acts in this play / He acted in 'Julius Caesar' / I played in 'A Christmas Carol'

Hypernyms (to "act" is one way to...):

perform (give a performance (of something))

Domain category:

dramatic art; dramatics; dramaturgy; theater; theatre (the art of writing and producing plays)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "act"):

stooge (act as the stooge)

mime; pantomime (act out without words but with gestures and bodily movements only)

ham; ham it up; overact; overplay (exaggerate one's acting)

underact; underplay (act (a role) with great restraint)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s