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Elementary Dictionary
       

act

 
pronunciation:
aekt
parts of speech:
noun, verb
features:
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part of speech: noun
definition 1: An act is something that you do.
Firefighters perform many acts of courage in their job.In school today, we made a list of kind acts we could do to help people.
synonyms:
action, deed
similar words:
accomplishment, achievement, activity, conduct, feat, move, performance, task, thing, turn, work
definition 2: An act can be the process of doing something. If someone is in the act of writing on the wall, they have already started writing on it and are planning to keep doing it.
He caught the puppy in the act of stealing the hot dog.
synonyms:
action, operation, practice, process
similar words:
exercise, labor, performance, production, work
definition 3: When someone pretends to be something that they are not, we sometimes call it an act. We also can call it an act when someone pretends to feel something that they do not really feel.
He cried and said he was sorry, but we think it was just an act.
similar words:
front, posture
definition 4: An act is a short performance that is fun to watch. Musicians, clowns, and street performers have acts.
The children enjoyed the clown's act.
synonyms:
performance, show
similar words:
bit, stand
definition 5: Plays are divided into parts, and each part is called an act.
The third act of the play was very exciting.
similar words:
division, episode, scene, segment, sketch
definition 6: An act is a law.
The government passed an act that will help clean up the rivers.
synonyms:
law, ruling
similar words:
declaration, determination, judgment, regulation, rule, verdict
 
part of speech: verb
inflections: acts, acting, acted
definition 1: When you act, it means you do something for a special purpose.
The firefighters acted quickly to put out the fire.
synonyms:
function, perform, work
similar words:
behave, deal, engage, go, move, run
definition 2: When someone plays the part of a character in a play, movie, or on television, they are acting.
Maya's sister acted in the school play, and everyone said she was really good.
 
similar words:
dance, perform, play, sing
definition 3: If you pretend to be something or someone that you are not, you are acting. Sometimes people act for reasons that are good. Sometimes they act for reasons that are not honest or kind.
I acted brave when my mom had to go to the hospital, but I was scared really.Shelby acted like she was my friend, but then she was mean to me later.
synonyms:
pretend
similar words:
pose, put on
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  art, film, music, theater