actively
gb/ˈæktɪvli/ us/ˈæktɪvli/
B1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
action
1
in an engaged, participating way
doing something and taking part, not just watching
Usage pattern:
actively + [verb] (e.g., participate, engage, contribute)
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse it where a simple verb is enough (e.g., 'actively went' usually sounds unnecessary).
Synonyms
engagedly (Emphasizes being mentally and socially involved; less common.)
|
participatively (Focuses on taking part; more formal and less common.)
Antonyms
passively (Not taking part; only receiving or observing.)
Collocations
actively participate
|actively engage
|actively involved
|actively contribute
|actively support
|actively oppose
|actively campaign
|actively volunteer
|actively cooperate
|actively promote
Themes
daily_life
|education
|work
Examples
- She actively participates in class discussions.
- Local residents actively opposed the plan.
- We want customers to be actively involved in the design process.
Learner examples
- I actively join the meetings.
- He is actively involved in the project.
adverb
B1
action
2
with real effort and energy
doing something with a lot of effort
Usage pattern:
actively + [verb] (e.g., work, pursue, manage, try)
Synonyms
energetically (Highlights high energy and enthusiasm.)
|
vigorously (Stronger; suggests forceful or intense effort.)
Antonyms
halfheartedly (Without much effort or enthusiasm.)
|
lazily (With little energy or willingness to work.)
Collocations
actively pursue
|actively work
|actively manage
|actively try
|actively build
|actively develop
|actively improve
|actively monitor
|actively maintain
|actively train
Themes
work
|health
|personal_development
Examples
- They are actively working to reduce costs.
- He actively trained for the marathon all winter.
- The team is actively developing a new feature.
Learner examples
- She actively studies every day.
adverb
B2
action
3
deliberately, as a conscious choice
doing something on purpose
Usage pattern:
actively + [verb] (e.g., avoid, prevent, discourage, hide)
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse 'actively avoid' (make an effort to avoid) with simply 'avoid' (may be more general).
Synonyms
deliberately (Directly emphasizes intention.)
|
intentionally (Neutral and clear; stresses purpose.)
Antonyms
accidentally (Happening without intention.)
|
unintentionally (Not done on purpose.)
Collocations
actively avoid
|actively prevent
|actively discourage
|actively resist
|actively conceal
|actively deny
|actively exclude
|actively ignore
|actively seek out
|actively refuse
Themes
daily_life
|communication
|law
Examples
- She actively avoided eye contact during the meeting.
- The company actively prevented employees from discussing pay.
- He wasn’t just unaware—he was actively ignoring the warnings.
Learner examples
- I actively avoid sweets.
adverb
B1
action
4
in a physically moving way
moving your body and being active
Usage pattern:
actively + [verb] (e.g., play, move, exercise)
Synonyms
physically (Broader; not always about sustained activity.)
|
athletically (Implies sports or fitness skill; not always appropriate.)
Antonyms
sedentarily (In a sitting, inactive way; uncommon but clear.)
|
inactively (Without physical activity.)
Collocations
actively exercise
|actively play
|actively move
|actively hike
|actively commute
|actively swim
|actively dance
|actively run
|actively participate in sports
|actively stay fit
Themes
health
|daily_life
Examples
- After lunch, the kids played actively in the park.
- Try to live actively, even if you have a desk job.
- She’s recovering well and can move actively again.
Learner examples
- The children play actively.
adverb
business
C1
property
5
with frequent business activity
happening often, with many transactions
Usage pattern:
actively + [past participle/adjective] (e.g., traded, managed)
Synonyms
heavily (Often used with 'traded/used'; focuses on large volume.)
|
frequently (Neutral; emphasizes how often something happens.)
Antonyms
thinly (In finance, 'thinly traded' means with few transactions.)
|
rarely (Happening infrequently.)
Collocations
actively traded
|actively managed
|actively used
|actively marketed
|actively sold
|actively monitored
|actively funded
|actively invested
|actively negotiated
|actively recruiting
Themes
business
|finance
Examples
- It’s one of the most actively traded stocks on the exchange.
- The fund is actively managed rather than tracking an index.
- These accounts are actively used, so they require stronger security.
Learner examples
- This stock is actively traded.
Grammar
Dictionary form
actively
IPA
GB/ˈæktɪvli/
US/ˈæktɪvli/
Syllables & stress
act - ively (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (act)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: actively
- Plural: activelies
Word family
Forms
activelies
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
Expressions
actively engaged (in/with)
1/ˈæktɪvli ɪŋɡˈeɪd͡ʒd ɪnwˌɪθ/
fixed phrase
focused and participating
paying attention and taking part
Examples
- Students stayed actively engaged throughout the lesson.
- The company is actively engaged in talks with suppliers.
- She remained actively engaged with the community after retiring.
actively involved (in)
1/ˈæktɪvli ɪnvˈɑlvd ˈɪn/
fixed phrase
taking part in something
to take part and do work in something
Examples
- She’s actively involved in the school’s parent group.
- He wants to be actively involved in decisions that affect his team.
- They were actively involved in organizing the event.
actively listen
1/ˈæktɪvli lˈɪsən/
fixed phrase
listen attentively and respond
to listen carefully and show you understand
Examples
- Try to actively listen instead of planning your reply.
- A good interviewer actively listens and asks follow-up questions.
- She actively listened to his concerns and summarized them.
actively looking for
1/ˈæktɪvli lˈʊkɪŋ fɚ/
fixed phrase
searching seriously for something
searching now and trying to find something
Examples
- I’m actively looking for an apartment near my office.
- They’re actively looking for someone with more experience.
- If you’re actively looking for work, update your résumé.
actively managed
1/ˈæktɪvli mˈænɪd͡ʒd/
fixed phrase
business
managed by ongoing decisions
managed with frequent decisions and changes
Examples
- The portfolio is actively managed by a team of analysts.
- Actively managed funds usually charge higher fees than index funds.
- He prefers actively managed strategies in volatile markets.
actively participate (in)
1/ˈæktɪvli pɑɹtˈɪsəpˌeɪt ˈɪn/
fixed phrase
take part with effort
to join in and contribute
Examples
- Everyone is encouraged to actively participate in the meeting.
- He actively participates in online forums about photography.
- Parents can actively participate in school activities.
actively seeking
1/ˈæktɪvli sˈikɪŋ/
fixed phrase
trying hard to find
trying hard to find something
Examples
- We’re actively seeking feedback from users.
- She is actively seeking a new job.
- Police are actively seeking witnesses.
actively support
1/ˈæktɪvli səpˈɔɹt/
fixed phrase
support through actions
to help by doing things
Examples
- Several charities actively support families in crisis.
- The manager actively supported her team during the reorganization.
- Many voters actively supported the proposal.