Passive Meaning
/ˈpæs.ɪv/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjBeing subjected to an action without producing a reaction.
adjTaking no action.
Sentence Examples
Observation is a passive science, experimentation an active science.
How can you be so passive? Why don't you retaliate?
He played a passive role in the relationship.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ student never raised his hand or asked a question in class.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ voice is often used in scientific writing to maintain an objective and impersonal tone.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English passyf, passyve, from Middle French, French passif, from Latin passivus (“serving to express the suffering of an action; in late Latin literally capable of suffering or feeling”), from passus, past participle of pati (“to suffer”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *peh₁- (“to hurt”); compare patient.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"There would be a shuttle service of four trains an hour from Reading, where the rebuilt station also has passive provision for the trains."
— 2021 May 5, Paul Clifton, “Network News: Heathrow Western Rail Access scheme 'on hold'”, in RAIL, number 930, page 26:
"If you want to improve your organization's NPS, you need to follow up with your detractors, passives, and promoters to understand why they answered your question as they did and what you can do better in the future."
— 2014, Roy Barnes, Bob Kelleher, Customer Experience For Dummies, page 266:
"Reductions In Both Size And Weight Offered By Integrated Passives
You may not know it yet, but if you're like most consumers, you want integrated passives."
— 2001, The Virginia Engineer, volume 50, page 20:
"The components include active devices such as logic, memory, processors, etc.; passives such as capacitors, resistors, crystal oscillators, inductances, etc.; […]"
— 2010, Sridhar Canumalla, Puligandla Viswanadham, Portable Consumer Electronics: Packaging, Materials, and Reliability:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The ____ student never raised his hand or asked a question in class.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ voice is often used in scientific writing to maintain an objective and impersonal tone.