1engaging or ready to engage in physically energetic pursuits:although he was seventy he was still robust and active
moving or tending to move about vigorously or frequently:I couldn’t feel the baby moving, and it was normally very active
characterized by busy or lively activity:they enjoyed an active social life
(of a person’s mind or imagination) alert and lively:Caroline nodded slowly, her active mind already racing ahead
2participating or engaged in a particular sphere or activity:sexually active teenagersshe was an active member of the society
[predic.] (of a person or animal) pursuing their usual occupation or activity at a particular place or time:tigers are active mainly at night
3in operation; working:the old watermill was active until 1960
(of an electric circuit) capable of modifying its state or characteristics automatically in response to input or feedback:the receiver is continuously active whenever the vehicle ignition is switched on
(of a volcano) that is erupting or has erupted in historical times:the volcano became active on 28 March last yearEtna is Europe’s highest and most active volcano
(of a disease) in which the symptoms are manifest; not in remission or latent.
having a chemical or biological effect on something:active ingredients
4 Grammar denoting a voice of verbs in which the subject is typically the person or thing performing the action and which can take a direct object (e.g. she loved him as opposed to the passive form he was loved).
