action
English meaning: Action
Definition
Something done so as to accomplish a purpose.
Example
“The government promised swift action to tackle the crisis.”
Another example: “The new policy will come into action at the start of the year.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Very common word for a deed performed or the process of doing. Appears across registers: everyday ('take action'), legal ('an action at law'), film and gaming ('action movie'). Neutral and high-frequency.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old French 'accion', from Latin 'actio' meaning 'a doing', from 'agere' 'to do, drive'; 14th century.
Synonyms
- activity
- legal action
- activeness
- natural process
- military action
- action at law
- natural action
Antonyms / Opposites
- inaction
- inactivity
Related Words
Common Collocations
- take action
- course of action
- plan of action
- call to action
- direct action
- in action
Word Forms
action (n); actions (pl); act (v)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B