act
/ækt/ verb B1- To do something. · If you don’t act soon, you will be in trouble.
- To perform a theatrical role. · I started acting at the age of eleven in my local theatre.
- Of a play: to be acted out (well or badly).
- To behave in a certain manner for an indefinite length of time. · A dog which acts aggressively is likely to bite.· He’s acting strangely—I think there’s something wrong with him.
- To convey an appearance of being. · He acted unconcerned so the others wouldn’t worry.
- To do something that causes a change binding on the doer. · act on behalf of John
- To have an effect (on). · High-pressure oxygen acts on the central nervous system and may cause convulsions or death.· Gravitational force acts on heavy bodies.
- To play (a role). · He’s been acting Shakespearean leads since he was twelve.
Plural act · He/she/it acts · Past acted · Past participle acted · -ing form acting
Verb forms
- Base form
- act
- He/she/it
- acts
- Past
- acted
- Past participle
- acted
- -ing form
- acting
Phrasal verbs and expressions
From the library
Various rumors were afloat to the effect that the owners of the Pharaon had promised to attend the nuptial feast; but all seemed unanimous in doubting that an act of such rare and exceeding condescension could possibly be intended.
As Villefort observes, it is a great act of folly to have left such a man between Corsica, where he was born, and Naples, of which his brother-in-law is king, and face to face with Italy, the sovereignty of which he coveted for his son.”
Except the recollection of the line of politics his father had adopted, and which might interfere, unless he acted with the greatest prudence, with his own career, Gérard de Villefort was as happy as a man could be.
The sight of this officer recalled Villefort from the third heaven to earth; he composed his face, as we have before described, and said, “I have read the letter, sir, and you have acted rightly in arresting this man; now inform me what you have discovered concerning him and the conspiracy.”
Other matches
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