passive
/ˈpæsɪv/
noun
- The passive voice in grammar.
- Some languages use the passive more often than English does.
- The teacher explained how to form the passive in English.
- In the passive, the object of the action becomes the subject.
adjective
- Accepting or allowing what happens without active response or resistance.
- His passive attitude toward his homework led to poor grades.
- She remained passive during the argument, refusing to engage.
- A passive audience just watches the show without participating.
- Relating to a verb form where the subject receives the action (e.g., 'The ball was thrown').
- Teachers often advise students to avoid too much passive writing.
- The passive construction can make a sentence less direct.
- In the sentence 'The cake was eaten,' the verb is in the passive voice.
- Not involving or using energy or power; operating without active input.
- The device is passive and doesn't need batteries.
- A passive cooling system relies on natural airflow.
- Passive solar heating uses sunlight without mechanical pumps.
Synonyms
Antonyms