act
act /ækt/
noun
-
(
)
(law) a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee, society or legislative body
(
enactment
, act
)
(law) a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee, society or legislative body
-
()
Something that people do or cause to happen
(
deed
, human activity
, human action
, act
)
something that people do or cause to happen
-
()
A subdivision of a play, opera or ballet
(
act
)
a subdivision of a play, opera or ballet
-
()
A short performance that is part of a longer program
(
bit
, turn
, routine
, act
, number
)
a short performance that is part of a longer program
He did his act three times every evening
he did his act three times every evening
She had a catchy little routine
she had a catchy little routine
It was one of the best numbers he ever did
it was one of the best numbers he ever did
-
A manifestation of insincerity
(
act
)
a manifestation of insincerity
He put on quite an act for her benefit
he put on quite an act for her benefit
verb
-
()
Perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
(
move
, act
)
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
Think before you act
think before you act
We must move quickly
We must move quickly
The governor should act on the new energy bill
The governor should act on the new energy bill
The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel
The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel
-
()
Behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself
(
do
, behave
, act
)
behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself
You should act like an adult
You should act like an adult
Don't behave like a fool
Don't behave like a fool
What makes her do this way?
What makes her do this way?
The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people
The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people
-
()
(performing arts) Perform a role or part
(
represent
, act
, play
)
(performing arts) Perform a role or part
Gielgud played Hamlet
Gielgud played Hamlet
She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role
She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role
She played the servant to her husband's master
She played the servant to her husband's master
-
()
Discharge one's duties
(
act
)
discharge one's duties
She acts as the chair
She acts as the chair
In what capacity are you acting?
In what capacity are you acting?
-
()
Pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
(
act as
, act
, play
)
pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
He acted the idiot
He acted the idiot
She plays deaf when the news are bad
She plays deaf when the news are bad
-
(dramaturgy) perform on a stage or theater
(
act
, play
, playact
, roleplay
)
(dramaturgy) perform on a stage or theater
She acts in this play
She acts in this play
He acted in Julius Caesar'
He acted in Julius Caesar'
I played in A Christmas Carol'
I played in A Christmas Carol'
-
Behave unnaturally or affectedly
(
act
, dissemble
, pretend
)
behave unnaturally or affectedly
She's just acting
She's just acting
-
Be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure
(
act
)
be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure
-
Have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected
(
act
, work
)
have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected
The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought
The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought
How does your idea work in practice?
How does your idea work in practice?
This method doesn't work
This method doesn't work
The breaks of my new car act quickly
The breaks of my new car act quickly
The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water
The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water
-
Be suitable for theatrical performance
(
act
)
be suitable for theatrical performance
This scene acts well
This scene acts well
