act (n.)

  1. a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body

    [ Syn: enactment ]

  2. something that people do or cause to happen

    [ Syn: deed , human action , human activity ]

  3. a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet

  4. a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program; he did his act three times every evening; she had a catchy little routine; it was one of the best numbers he ever did

    [ Syn: routine , number , turn , bit ]

  5. a manifestation of insincerity; he put on quite an act for her benefit'

    act (v.)

  1. perform an action, or work out or perform (an action); think before you act; We must move quickly; The governor should act on the new energy bill; The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel

    [ Syn: move ]

  2. perform on a stage or theater; She acts in this play; He acted in `Julius Caesar; I played in `A Christmas Carol

    [ Syn: play , roleplay , playact ]

  3. behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself; You should act like an adult; Dont behave like a fool; What makes her do this way?; The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people

    [ Syn: behave , do ]

  4. play a role or part; Gielgud played Hamlet; She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role; She played the servant to her husbands master

    [ Syn: play , represent ]

  5. discharge one's duties; She acts as the chair; In what capacity are you acting?'

  6. pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind; He acted the idiot; She plays deaf when the news are bad

    [ Syn: play , act as ]

  7. be suitable for theatrical performance; This scene acts well'

  8. have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected; The voting process doesnt work as well as people thought; How does your idea work in practice?; This method doesnt work; The breaks of my new car act quickly; The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water

    [ Syn: work ]

  9. be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure

  10. behave unnaturally or affectedly; Shes just acting

    [ Syn: dissemble , pretend ]

The dictionary is based on the WordNet Electronic Lexical Database.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2011 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.