Pronunciation: /ækt/

Definitions of act

noun a formal written law or decision of a legislature, ruler, court, or other authority

Example Sentences

A1 She is in a school play and has a small act.

A2 The main act of the circus was the acrobats.

B1 The government passed an act to protect the environment.

B2 The actor's performance in the Shakespearean act was outstanding.

C1 The charity organization is working on an act to provide clean water to remote villages.

C2 The politician's controversial act caused a stir in the media.

verb to take action; do something

Example Sentences

A1 She acts in school plays.

A2 He acts in amateur theater productions.

B1 The company acted quickly to address the issue.

B2 The politician acted in accordance with the law.

C1 The CEO acted decisively to save the company from bankruptcy.

C2 The judge acted impartially in the high-profile case.

Examples of act in a Sentence

formal The government passed an act to regulate the use of pesticides in agriculture.

informal She's planning to act in the school play next month.

slang Stop acting like you know everything.

figurative His kindness towards others is just an act to hide his true intentions.

Grammatical Forms of act

past tense

acted

plural

acts

comparative

more active

superlative

most active

present tense

act

future tense

will act

perfect tense

have acted

continuous tense

is acting

singular

act

positive degree

active

infinitive

to act

gerund

acting

participle

acting

Origin and Evolution of act

First Known Use: 1300 year
Language of Origin: Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'act' originated from the Latin word 'actus', which means a thing done or a deed.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'act' has evolved to not only refer to a deed or action but also to a specific segment of a play or performance, as well as to a formal written law or statute.