actively

[ ak-tiv-lee ]

adverb

1. in a way that involves deliberate and vigorous engagement or effort:

   Our search for your missing son has not slowed and there are important leads being actively pursued even at this moment.

   Latin America is here—actively present in U.S. history, culture, and politics.

2. with a high degree of volume, use, participation, etc.:

   Crude oil is the world's most actively traded commodity.

3. in a way that is operative or effective at the time; currently:

   On any given day, roughly 20 volcanoes are actively erupting.

   Well over a million people are actively subscribed and learning languages with the app worldwide.

4. in a way that involves physical exercise or movement:

   Every volunteer role at the day center is helpful in enabling seniors to live actively, independently, and with dignity.

5. Grammar. in or by means of the active voice, where the subject of the verb is also the doer of the action:

   Anything expressed with a passive verb could also be expressed actively, so the choice of one over the other is often for stylistic effect.

Other Words From

• pre·ac·tive·ly adverb
• qua·si-ac·tive·ly adverb
• sem·i·ac·tive·ly adverb
• su·per·ac·tive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of actively¹

active + -ly

Example Sentences

"Over 8,800 candidates belonging to 49 political parties and 284 independent groups are contesting the elections but only around 1,000 candidates have actively campaigned," Rohana Hettiarachchi, executive director of poll monitoring group People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections, told the BBC.

From BBC

Mr Gitzel says around 100 other companies are now actively exploring Saskatchewan for deposits.

From BBC

Many of Trump's advisors reportedly do not like his abrasive personality, his role in facilitating meetings between Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and that he was actively lobbying to be Secretary of State rather than waiting for the president-elect to pick him.

From Salon

Our phones assume we want to record everything forever, whereas most of the time we’re not actively approaching life that way.

From Slate

Despite bursts of virality and media coverage, the movement is still far from mainstream, and given its decentralized online existence, there is no concrete data on how many South Korean women actively identify as “4B.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ardently
• breathlessly
• cordially
• earnestly
• energetically
• enthusiastically
• fervently
• gladly
• heartily
• hungrily
• impatiently
• intently
• longingly
• promptly
• readily
• sincerely
• vigorously
• willingly
• zealously