Definition of act - Reverso English Dictionary
Noun
1.
actionsomething done or performed, a deed
- His brave act saved the child.
2.
theaterdivision of a theatrical performance
- The play's first act was very engaging.
3.
deceptiondisplay of behavior meant to deceive
- Her kindness was just an act.
4.
entertainmentperformer or performers in a show
- The opening act was a famous band.
5.
legallaw passed by a legislative body
- The new act was approved by the parliament.
Verb
1.
theatertr./intr. perform a role in a playtr./intr.
- She will act in the school play.
2.
behaviorintr. behave in a certain wayintr.
- He tends to act shy around strangers.
3.
actionintr. perform an action or deedintr.
- She decided to act immediately.
4.
functionintr. serve a function or purposeintr.
- The sofa can act as a bed.
5.
performancetr./intr. pretend to be somethingtr./intr.
- He likes to act tough.
6.
legaltr. represent someone legallytr.
- The lawyer will act for the defendant.
Expressions with act
💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
do it in an unforced, real way
When the camera started rolling, the director told everyone to act naturally.
perform a role or part in a dramatic performance
She decided to act out the role of Juliet in the play..
malfunction or fail to function correctly
My old laptop tends to act up when I try to run too many applications..
performance involving balancing objects or oneself
The clown's balancing act amazed the audience.
engaged in a specific activity
She was in the act of writing a letter.
behave in a unified and coordinated manner
The team must act as one to win the game.
act with confidence or boldness
She decided to act big during the presentation.
in an impulsive manner without prior thought
She tends to act first, think later in emergencies.
behave in a strange or suspicious way
She started to act funny when we asked about the money.
make decisions based on received information
She decided to act on the new data.
behave in a silly way to entertain others
During the party, he loved to act the clown.
behave in a way suitable for a role
He always acts the part of a responsible leader.
stop acting younger or older than you are
It's time to act your age and take responsibility.
pretend to be something not true
His kindness turned out to be just an act.
person who impresses others with admirable qualities or refined style
She is a class act both on and off stage.
become involved in an activity or situation already happening
She wanted to get in on the act and help with the project.
improve your behavior or performance
Get your act together before the boss reviews your work tomorrow.
pretend to be something or someone else
She put on an act to get sympathy from her friends.
magic trick where someone or something disappears suddenly
The magician performed a vanishing act on stage.
needing careful management to avoid problems
Managing work and family life can be requiring a balancing act.
make decisions with global awareness but implement them locally
The company aims to think globally, act locally in its business strategy.
behave in a silly or stupid way
He tends to act a fool at parties.
limit or control something to prevent excess
The new policy acts as a check on spending.
mediate between two parties to facilitate communication
She acted as a go-between for the two companies.
Origin of act
Latin, actus (a doing)
Terms with act included in their meaning
💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.
breathing
the act of taking in and expelling air
language
act as an auxiliary in questions
grammar
act as an auxiliary in negatives
scoring
the act of scoring in sports
physical action
the act of propelling oneself off the ground
relationships
have strong affection, wish well and act for another's benefit
physical activity
act of moving swiftly on foot
hygiene
act of washing under a shower
activity
act of moving through water using limbs
action
act of propelling something with the arm
gestures
act of striking palms together in applause
sequence
expected to act or speak next in sequence
non-specific
any object, act, state, or fact without specification
travel
act of reaching a destination
social conduct
act in a socially acceptable way
beginning of life
the act of being born
action
act of selecting between options
mouse action
act of pressing a mouse button
counting
act of counting or tallying a quantity
weeping
act of shedding tears
weeping
the act of shedding tears with sobs
choice
the act of making a choice or judgment
transportation
act of conveying items to a destination
ground excavation
act of digging into the ground
Examples of act in a sentence
Her act of defiance was unexpected. The second act of the opera was breathtaking. Each act of the musical was more thrilling than the last. His apology was merely an act. The tears were all an act. The final act of the night was a solo comedian.
They booked a new act for the upcoming festival. The act was challenged in the supreme court. Citizens protested against the controversial act. He loves to act in community theater productions. They will act in a Shakespearean play next month. Please act responsibly during the emergency. The child acted bravely at the dentist. He promised to act on the feedback given. They must act quickly to prevent further damage. The phone can act as a camera. In emergencies, the flashlight acts as a beacon. She can act like a professional chef. They act as if they own the place. She agreed to act on behalf of the company. He was hired to act for the plaintiff in court.
View all translations of act
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:acte, jouer, ...
- German:Akt, spielen, ...
- Italian:atto, recitare, ...
- Spanish:acto, actuar, ...
- Portuguese:ato, interpretar, ...
- Chinese:行为, 表演, ...
- Japanese:行為, 演じる, ...
- Arabic:عَمَل, أَدّى دورًا, ...
- Hebrew:מַעֲשֶׂה, לְגַלֵּם, ...
- Russian:поступок, выступать, ...
- Ukrainian:вчинок, виконувати роль, ...
- Hindi:कार्य, अभिनय करना, ...
Definition of ACT - Reverso English Dictionary
Acronym
1.
campus admissionstandardized US test for getting into postsecondary education
- She took the ACT to enter a US university.
2.
acr: Australian Capital Territoryregion in Australia with Canberra as its capital
- Canberra is located in the ACT.
3.
acr: acceptance and commitment therapyTECH. therapy focusing on accepting thoughts and feelingsTECH.
- ACT helps people deal with stress and anxiety.
4.
acr: Association of Consumers and TaxpayersRare group for consumer rights and tax issuesRare
- The ACT advocates for fair tax policies.
Origin of ACT
Latin actus (a doing)
Examples of ACT in a sentence
He spent months preparing for the ACT exam. The ACT has a unique climate compared to other regions. Tourists often visit the ACT for its museums. ACT encourages mindfulness to improve mental health. Through ACT, she learned to accept her emotions. The ACT lobbies for consumer protection laws.
Members of the ACT attended the tax reform meeting.
View all translations of ACT
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:test d'admission ACT, Territoire de la capitale australienne, ...
- German:US-Studierfähigkeitstest, ACT, ...
- Italian:test ACT per l'ammissione all'università negli Stati Uniti, Territorio della Capitale Australiana, ...
- Spanish:examen ACT de admisión universitaria, ACT, ...
- Portuguese:exame padronizado norte-americano ACT, ACT, ...
- Chinese:ACT 考试, 澳大利亚首都领地, ...
- Japanese:大学進学適性試験, ACT, ...
- Arabic:اِخْتِبَار القُبُول الجَامِعِيّ الأَمِيرِكِيّ, إِقْلِيم العاصِمَة الأُسْتُراليَّة, ...
- Hebrew:מִבְחַן הַקַּבָּלָה הָאֲמֵרִיקָאִי ACT, הַטֶּרִיטוֹרִיַּה הַפֶּדֶרָלִית הָאוֹסְטְרָלִית שֶׁל הַבִּירָה קַנְבֵּרָה, ...
- Russian:экзамен ACT, ACT, ...
- Ukrainian:ACT, АКТ, ...
- Hindi:अमेरिकी कॉलेज प्रवेश परीक्षा ACT, ACT, ...
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