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to act

to act

252 2.1
Perform a role in a play, film, or show
  • verb
  • /ækt/
: actuar
  • As Viola herself was inspired to act by Shakespeare's poetry, so too is the queen.
  • act in the theater
  • act out a scene
  • students act

The director doesn't hire you to act like that person.

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Examples

  • The director doesn't hire you to act like that person.

  • I mean, it was, I like to act, so I thought it was fun.

  • I am, I love to act, love to act.

  • I just wanted to see if you were doing any acting over there.

  • So I got to produce, direct, act and give interviews.

  • But we've not acted in a scene together yet.

  • I got to watch the boys and girls act silly and dance different dances from different eras.

    Academic text (2013)
  • ON TV MONITOR - we see Reardon, acting as Master of Ceremonies, doing the introductions.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • During the rehearsal, the young actress had to act convincingly to impress the director.

  • To prepare for the role, he spent weeks studying how to act as a historical figure.

Synonyms

to play
vsto act
∞ 1.0

Act as a character in a stage show, film, or TV show

is the same action but expressed with a different main word
to perform
vsto act
633 2.7

To entertain people by singing, acting, or dancing

is narrower, limited to performing a theatrical role rather than general entertainment
to appear
vsto act
280 2.1

To perform in a play or film

describes performing a role specifically in dramatic productions
to portray
vsto act
90 3.7

To play a character in a film or play

focuses on performing a role rather than on depiction style
to be
vsto act
79 1.0

Act as a character in a play or film

names the performing action itself rather than stating the representation role
to play a part
vsto act
62 2.5

To act in a show or help make something happen

focuses only on performing a role, not broader contribution to results
38 3.0

To act as a character in a play or as someone in a real situation

is the general action of performing a role rather than naming the part
to enact
vsto act
32 4.8

To act out a scene in front of people, like in a play

is direct role performance rather than implying acted imitation of events
to represent
vsto act
4 3.9

Act as a character in a play or film

is the same performing activity but framed as a general description
to playact
vsto act
2 6.7

To pretend to be a person in a story on stage or with friends

is broader, covering any role performance, not only theatrical display
to roleplay
vsto act
1 4.7

Act as a character in a play or drama

is about professional role performance rather than playful or practice acting

Antonyms

311 2.8

To stop taking part in a place or activity

Idioms

49 4.4

While someone is doing something wrong and someone else sees them

Someone finds a person while they are doing something wrong

7 7.9

To scold someone strongly and warn them of punishment

To consider what might happen before you do something

1 6.3

To be organized, prepared, and able to manage tasks and problems

to act like a diva
  • Offensive
1 8.2

Behave in a very dramatic, demanding way to get special treatment

to act like a pig
  • Offensive
1 8.0

To behave in a greedy and messy way, often when eating with others

to act like a putz
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To behave in a silly or clumsy way

1 6.8

Behave in a silly, clumsy way to make people laugh at you

To give loud, cheerful support to someone to encourage them

1 9.9

Behave in a rude and stupid way

1 9.9

To behave rudely and foolishly in a way that annoys or embarrasses people

1 9.9

To behave rudely or foolishly in a way that annoys others

Send back light and show a clear image of things nearby

1 4.6

To organize yourself and behave better to reach a goal

to act like a ditz
  • Offensive
1 9.6

Behave in a silly, careless way to avoid serious talk

1 8.6

To behave in a silly way without thinking when nervous or tired

Behave in a rude, demanding way to staff or other people

9.9

To behave in a silly or wild way that makes people laugh

To behave in a silly and immature way

9.9

To ignore good advice and behave foolishly

9.9

To wait for someone else to have a problem so you can gain from it

to act like a bum
  • Offensive
8.6

To behave lazily and avoid work or responsibility

to act like a chav
  • Offensive
9.9

Behave loudly and show off, for example by shouting or flashing money in Britain

9.9

To treat other people rudely and think only about yourself

9.9

To behave in a foolish and clumsy way

Behave in a very foolish or rude way

9.9

To behave very rudely and make other people angry or upset

9.9

Behave in a very rude and insulting way to other people

9.9

To behave in a foolish, clumsy way that makes people laugh

To behave in a silly or annoying way

9.9

To behave foolishly or clumsily

9.9

To behave in a silly, awkward way that looks foolish

to act like a dodo
  • Offensive
9.3

To behave foolishly and show little common sense

9.9

Behave in a silly, clumsy way

9.6

Behave in a silly or foolish way

9.9

To behave in a very foolish and rude way

9.9

To behave loudly and show off to impress other people in an annoying way

9.9

To behave in a weak, scared way instead of being brave

9.6

Behave in a silly, not very smart way

Behave in a showy way to seem more important

9.9

Behave in a sad, lonely way that makes you look awkward with other people

8.1

Behave in a loud, showy way to get attention

9.9

To behave in a silly, rude way and break rules

9.9

To react to criticism by becoming easily offended or upset

8.9

Behave like a king and ignore other people's ideas

Behave in a very rude and thoughtless way that upsets other people

9.9

To behave foolishly and not take responsibility

9.9

To behave in a rude and annoying way

9.9

Behave in a rude, annoying, and foolish way toward other people

To predict future events very accurately as if you already knew them

9.9

To behave in a boring, old-fashioned way around other people

Phrasal Verbs

223 2.6

Serve in the role of a person or thing

148 3.2

Do something after you get information, advice, or a request

91 5.5

Show strong feelings by behaving badly instead of talking

85 3.4

Pretend to have qualities or feelings you do not have

to act up
  • Informal
41 4.8

To behave badly or to stop working properly

27 3.7

To perform a scene or feeling like a short play

to act like a jerk
  • Offensive
14 8.4

To behave rudely or meanly toward other people

14 5.9

A body part or health problem that starts to cause pain again after getting better

to act a fool
  • Informal
10 8.0

To behave in a silly or embarrassing way to get attention

6 6.1

To act out a scene to practice or show how something happens

Behave as if you are better than other people

3 3.5

Make someone or something change

Behave in a way you cannot predict, often changing suddenly

1 8.9

Behave in a strange, nervous, or unpredictable way

To connect two groups so they can communicate and work together

1 9.9

Behave in a strange, confusing way, used as a rude informal insult

React quickly without thinking

Do something without meaning to or being in control

Behave rudely and selfishly and annoy other people

9.6

Behave in a very childish way as an adult

to act like a simp
  • Offensive
9.9

To do too much to please someone you like to get their attention or approval

9.9

Behave in a dishonest or rude way that makes other people feel uncomfortable

9.9

To pretend to be tough or street-smart when you are not

9.9

Behave loudly and show off street clothes and a tough attitude

Compounds

35 6.9

A violent act against ordinary people to frighten others for political, religious or other beliefs

27 7.2

Planned violent action to make people afraid for political, religious or other ideas

sex act
  • NSFW
25 3.7

Sexual activity between people, often intercourse

balancing act
  • Informal
23 4.4

A situation of managing two or more important things at the same time, like work and family

act of God
  • Specialized
22 6.8

A natural event like a flood or earthquake that cannot be prevented by people

A small helpful action someone does to make another person's day better

class act
  • Informal
18 4.0

A person who shows skill and style when things are difficult

11 4.1

A law that the United States Congress passes

8 6.8

An action or decision you make because you trust something without proof

circus act
  • Informal
8 4.2

A noisy, chaotic event with people everywhere

5 9.9

A former English law that required crowds to leave when a local official read a formal announcement

juggling act
  • Informal
4 4.9

A situation where a person manages several important tasks at once, often with difficulty

3 3.9

A short play with only one act

riot act
  • Informal
3 7.4

A strong warning to someone to stop bad behavior

RICO Act
  • Formal
3 7.2

A U.S. federal law that punishes organized crime and lets authorities seize money and property

A United States law that requires courts to approve spying on foreign people or groups

2 5.5

A law passed by a parliament or congress

1 7.8

A law that puts a paid official stamp on newspapers and legal papers in the American colonies which causes protests

special act
  • Formal
1 8.3

A law made to help one person, group, or place instead of everyone

speech act
  • Specialized
1 7.4

Words that you say to do something, like asking or promising

enabling act
  • Formal
1 6.3

A part of a law that gives officials the power to put the law into action

United States law from 1970 used to fight organized crime by giving stronger punishments

A United States law that makes workplaces safer by setting safety rules and making sure employers follow them

act of darkness
  • Literature
1 9.9

A very bad action that harms people

four-act play
  • Archaic
1 6.3

A play divided into four parts that each show part of the story

1 8.3

Sex between two people who are not married to each other

1 7.7

A nickname for a law that extends copyright to help large media companies like Disney

1 7.8

Former US law that let manufacturers require shops to sell goods at a minimum price

1 8.9

A very cruel action that shows no human feeling

9.9

A stage show that mixes playful, sexy comedy with dance

chronocidal act
  • Literature
9.9

An action that breaks the normal flow of time, often in stories

act of Iscariotism
  • Literature
9.9

To betray someone for money or personal gain

How Convincing

to embody
96 5.1
to act
252 2.1
to portray
220 3.9
to mumble
116 4.9

Surface Forms

act infinitive
acted past
acted past participle
acting present participle
acts third person singular

Etymology

Act comes from the Latin agere, 'to do', and is the same root as actor. So to act in a play or film is to 'do' a role or performance.