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to act

to act

1.0
Behave in a certain way, often to pretend or hide feelings
  • verb
  • /ækt/
translation icon : comportarse
  • I need you to not act like that.
  • way of acting
  • act differently
  • act irresponsibly

People who don't look or act like people anymore.

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Examples

  • She was just acting to impress her colleagues at the meeting.

  • And don't sit there and act like you're so innocent.

  • They, when you buy a car, still kind of act like they own the car.

  • Why are you acting like this?

  • Follow the kids around the track, make some notes, act like an engineer, look cool.

  • I act like I'm a tough guy, but I'm not.

  • Soaps help me learn how I'm supposed to act in different situations and places.

    Academic text (1999)
  • Such trustworthiness comes if we act according to the adages.

  • Miller fled the state, but authorities found Abdur Rahman at work, acting as if nothing had happened.

    Academic text (2011)
  • If you keep acting like a child, no one will take you seriously.

Synonyms

to do
vsto act
1.0

Act in a particular way

is broader and also covers pretending or insincere behaviour
to play
vsto act
2.5

Behave in a way to trick or amuse someone

is the general term that also covers such deceptive or playful behaviour
to pretend
vsto act
2.3

To act as if something is true when it is not

also covers ordinary behaviour that is not meant to deceive
to behave
vsto act
747 1.0

To act in a proper or polite way

can be any manner of behaving, including false or insincere display
to conduct
vsto act
77 3.7

To behave in a particular way in a situation

is more general and also includes insincere or staged behaviour
to feign
vsto act
40 7.2

Pretend to feel something, like surprise or interest, to trick other people

is wider, including both genuine and falsely shown behaviour
to make out
vsto act
  • Informal
27 6.0

To pretend or claim something is true when it is not

focuses on manner of behaving rather than only making false claims
to dissemble
vsto act
9 9.1

To hide true feelings or intentions by pretending to feel something else

is broader and can include open pretending as well as simple behaviour
to play-act
vsto act
2 6.1

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

is the general behaviour term that also includes non theatrical pretending
to playact
vsto act
2 6.7

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

is broader and applies to ordinary or insincere behaviour too

Idioms

39 4.4

While someone is doing something wrong and someone else sees them

32 4.6

To organize yourself and behave better to reach a goal

Someone finds a person while they are doing something wrong

To be organized and ready to do things well

To consider what might happen before you do something

1 7.9

To scold someone strongly and warn them of punishment

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 diva
  • Offensive
1 8.2

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

to act like a putz
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To behave in a silly or clumsy way

1 6.3

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

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

6.8

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

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 give loud, cheerful support to someone to encourage them

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

to act like a ditz
  • Offensive
9.6

Behave in a silly, careless way to avoid serious talk

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

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

9.9

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

9.6

Behave in a silly, not very smart way

Send back light and show a clear image of things nearby

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 behave rudely or foolishly in a way that annoys others

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

Behave in a rude and stupid way

8.6

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

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

Phrasal Verbs

199 2.6

Serve in the role of a person or thing

145 3.2

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

32 5.5

Show strong feelings by behaving badly instead of talking

to act up
  • Informal
28 4.8

To behave badly or to stop working properly

25 3.4

Pretend to have qualities or feelings you do not have

24 3.7

To perform a scene or feeling like a short play

16 3.5

Make someone or something change

15 5.9

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

to act like a jerk
  • Offensive
9 8.4

To behave rudely or meanly toward other people

to act a fool
  • Informal
3 8.0

To behave in a silly or embarrassing way to get attention

2 6.1

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

Behave in a way you cannot predict, often changing suddenly

Behave as if you are better than other people

To connect two groups so they can communicate and work together

1 8.9

Behave in a strange, nervous, or unpredictable way

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

React quickly without thinking

9.9

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

Compounds

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
19 6.8

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

19 7.2

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

sex act
  • NSFW
19 3.7

Sexual activity between people, often intercourse

class act
  • Informal
17 4.0

A person who shows skill and style when things are difficult

15 6.9

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

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

9 4.1

A law that the United States Congress passes

riot act
  • Informal
7 7.4

A strong warning to someone to stop bad behavior

5 6.8

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

3 3.9

A short play with only one act

juggling act
  • Informal
3 4.9

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

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

RICO Act
  • Formal
1 7.2

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

1 7.8

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

1 5.5

A law passed by a parliament or congress

speech act
  • Specialized
1 7.4

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

circus act
  • Informal
1 4.2

A noisy, chaotic event with people everywhere

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

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

special act
  • Formal
1 8.3

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

9.9

A stage show that mixes playful, sexy comedy with dance

8.9

A very cruel action that shows no human feeling

chronocidal act
  • Literature
9.9

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

enabling act
  • Formal
6.3

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

act of darkness
  • Literature
9.9

A very bad action that harms people

Sex between two people who are not married to each other

act of Iscariotism
  • Literature
9.9

To betray someone for money or personal gain

7.8

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

four-act play
  • Archaic
6.3

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

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

9.9

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

How Sincere

to behave
747 1.0
to act
1.0
to pretend
2.3
fake
833 1.8

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 related to actor and action. So to act a certain way is to 'do' a kind of behaviour, and when it is not genuine it feels like a small performance.