act Definition
- 1to do something for a particular purpose or to solve a problem
- 2a single thing that someone does, especially something that is part of a plan
- 3a 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
Antonyms for act
Idioms Using act
Example
When they saw how much fun we were having, they wanted to get in on the act.
Example
He's not really that confident, he's just putting on an act.
Example
The security guard caught the thief in the act of stealing.
Phrases with act
Example
She did an act of kindness by helping the old lady cross the street.
Example
The flood was considered an act of God and not covered by insurance.
Example
Stop acting like a child and act your age!
Origins of act
from Latin 'actus', meaning 'a doing'
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.
