act

/ækt/
verb
  1. To do something; to take action.
    • We need to act quickly to solve this problem.
    • The government must act to protect the environment.
    • She decided to act on her friend's advice.
  2. To behave in a particular way.
    • Don't act like you don't know what happened.
    • He always acts politely in front of guests.
    • The children were acting strangely all evening.
  3. To perform a role in a play, movie, or show.
    • He acted the part of the villain in the school play.
    • She dreams of acting in a Broadway musical.
    • Many famous actors started acting in small theater productions.
  4. To have a particular effect or function.
    • A good teacher acts as a guide for students.
    • This medicine acts quickly to relieve pain.
    • The brakes act on all four wheels for better stopping power.
noun
  1. A single thing that someone does; a deed or action.
    • His act of bravery saved the child's life.
    • Every act of kindness makes the world better.
    • Helping the old lady was a kind act.
  2. A law passed by a government or parliament.
    • The Civil Rights Act of 1964 banned discrimination.
    • Parliament passed an act to reduce pollution.
    • The new education act was signed into law last month.
  3. A part of a play, opera, or performance.
    • The magician's act amazed the audience.
    • The first act of the play introduces all the characters.
    • There is a short intermission between the second and third acts.
  4. A false or pretended way of behaving.
    • She put on an act of being happy, but she was sad inside.
    • His anger was just an act to scare us.
    • Don't believe his innocent act; he knows exactly what he did.
Synonyms
Antonyms
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