act

[ækt]

act Definition

• 1. to do something for a particular purpose or to solve a problem
• 2. a single thing that someone does, especially something that is part of a plan
• 3. a law made by a government

Using act: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "act" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  We must act quickly to prevent further damage.

• Example

  He acted on his instincts and called the police.

• Example

  The play has five acts.

• Example

  The government passed an act to protect the environment.

act Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for act

• perform
• execute
• accomplish
• deed
• action
• statute
• law

Antonyms for act

• inaction
• inactivity
• failure

Idioms Using act

• get in on the act

  to become involved in something that others are already doing

  Example

  When they saw how much fun we were having, they wanted to get in on the act.

• put on an act

  to pretend to be something you're not, usually to impress others

  Example

  He's not really that confident, he's just putting on an act.

• catch someone in the act

  to see someone doing something wrong or illegal

  Example

  The security guard caught the thief in the act of stealing.

Phrases with act

• act of kindness

  a small action done to help someone else

  Example

  She did an act of kindness by helping the old lady cross the street.

• act of God

  an event caused by natural forces that humans have no control over

  Example

  The flood was considered an act of God and not covered by insurance.

• act your age

  behave in a way that is appropriate for your age

  Example

  Stop acting like a child and act your age!

Origins of act

from Latin 'actus', meaning 'a doing'

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Summary: act in Brief

The verb 'act' [ækt] means to do something for a particular purpose or to solve a problem. It can also refer to a single thing that someone does, especially something that is part of a plan. As a noun, 'act' refers to a law made by a government. Phrases like 'act of kindness' and 'act of God' use 'act' to denote a small action done to help someone else or an event caused by natural forces that humans have no control over, respectively. Idioms like 'get in on the act' and 'put on an act' extend the meaning of 'act' to involve becoming involved in something that others are already doing or pretending to be something you're not, respectively.