proactive
Acting in advance, not just reacting
Doing things early to stop problems or to make good things happen, instead of just waiting and reacting later.
be proactive about [something] / be proactive in [verb+ing]
- We need a more proactive approach to customer complaints if we want to keep our clients.
- She’s very proactive about her health and gets regular check-ups before any problems appear.
- The company is being proactive by investing in green technology now rather than waiting for new regulations.
- Parents are encouraged to be proactive in talking to their children about online safety.
- A proactive manager identifies risks early and prepares backup plans.
- Try to be proactive at work and offer help before your boss asks.
- He is proactive about saving money for the future.
- The school took proactive steps to make the building safer.
- If you are proactive, you can solve small problems before they become big.
Caused by earlier learning or conditions
Used in psychology to talk about how things you learned or did earlier can affect what you learn or remember later.
used before a noun, especially in technical terms (e.g. proactive interference)
- In proactive interference, old information makes it harder to remember new information.
- The study examined how proactive control helps people prepare their responses before a stimulus appears.
- Researchers found a strong effect of proactive aggression in children who initiated conflicts rather than responding to them.
- Proactive interference happens when old words make you forget new words.
- Some tests in psychology look at proactive control of actions.
- The paper talks about proactive aggression, which means starting a fight, not just answering one.
- Base: proactive
adopt a proactive approach
1Begin using an early-acting strategy
To start using a plan where you act early to manage a problem or situation.
- The government has adopted a proactive approach to climate change by investing heavily in renewable energy.
- Schools are encouraged to adopt a proactive approach to bullying, focusing on prevention rather than punishment alone.
be proactive
1Act early instead of waiting
To take action before problems start or before someone tells you to do something.
- If you want to grow in your career, you need to be proactive, not just wait for tasks to be given to you.
- Doctors say we should be proactive about our health by exercising and getting check-ups.
be proactive about
1Act early on a particular issue
To take early action in a certain area, instead of waiting for problems in that area.
- You should be proactive about your finances and start saving for emergencies now.
- The company has been proactive about diversity and inclusion in its hiring practices.
be proactive in doing something
1Act early in a specific activity
To start and do a certain action early and by yourself, not just wait for someone to tell you.
- Students should be proactive in doing research before they start writing their essays.
- Managers need to be proactive in giving feedback, not only when there is a problem.
take a proactive approach
1Choose to act early and plan
To decide to deal with something early, with planning and action, instead of waiting for problems to appear.
- The city decided to take a proactive approach to flooding by improving the drainage system before the rainy season.
- We should take a proactive approach to training new staff, rather than only teaching them when mistakes happen.