What does actively mean?
"Actively" is an adverb meaning in an active, energetic, or engaged manner — doing something with initiative rather than passively waiting for events to unfold. It derives from the adjective "active," which ultimately comes from the Latin agere, meaning "to do" or "to act." The word is commonly used to emphasize deliberate participation: one might actively seek employment, actively support a cause, or actively participate in a discussion. In grammar, it also describes verbs expressed in the active voice, where the subject performs the action directly. Its connotations are overwhelmingly positive, suggesting energy, commitment, and agency, and it contrasts naturally with "passively." Frequent collocations include "actively involved," "actively pursuing," and "actively recruiting." Because it signals intentional effort, "actively" is a useful word for describing engagement in work, learning, politics, and relationships, making it a valuable term for anyone writing about motivation, participation, or action.
adverbIn an active or energetic manner; taking positive action rather than being passive. Also, in grammar, used to describe doing something in the active voice rather than the passive.
- In an active, energetic, or engaged manner; taking positive action rather than remaining passive.
- (Grammar) In the active voice rather than the passive voice.
"She actively participates in every community project, never waiting to be asked."
"The charity actively recruits volunteers from local universities."
"In the sentence 'The dog chased the ball,' the verb is used actively rather than passively."
The word "active" traces back to Latin agere — "to do" — so when you do something actively, you are literally living up to a word that has meant "doing" for over two thousand years.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of actively
"Actively" derives from the adjective "active," which entered English from Latin activus, itself formed from agere, meaning "to do, drive, or act." The adverb form developed in English through the standard addition of the suffix -ly, appearing by the early modern period. It shares its deep root with a wide family of English words including activity, activate, activist, and actual (via Latin actualis), all tracing back to the same Indo-European root *ag- meaning "to drive or move."
Related word forms
How actively is actually used
Neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Often used to emphasize deliberate engagement, as in 'actively seeking' or 'actively involved,' and carries a positive connotation of initiative and participation.
Easily confused with actively
"Actively" means engaging with energy and initiative, while "aggressively" implies forcefulness or hostility that may be confrontational.