actively
- 1In a way that involves taking action or taking part, rather than remaining passive or idle.
The company is actively recruiting engineers for its new office in Denver.
Both parents were actively involved in the school's fundraising campaign.
Similarenergetically, vigorously
Oppositepassively
- 2In the active voice of a verb rather than the passive voice.
Verbs like "write" and "build" can be used actively or passively.
Rewritten actively, "The ball was kicked by Sam" becomes "Sam kicked the ball."
Oppositepassively
Note
Here the word belongs to grammar and describes a verb's voice, not anyone's effort. A verb used actively puts the doer in the subject slot: the committee approved the plan. Used passively, the receiver takes that slot and the doer moves into a by-phrase or drops out: the plan was approved (by the committee). Its partner is passively, and the pair describes words and constructions, which keeps it apart from the everyday adverb.
Use it in a sentence
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Origin
From late Middle English actyvely; equivalent to active + -ly.