passive

CEFRB2

/ˈpæs.ɪv/

adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adjective

    Not actively taking action or resisting.

  2. 02

    adjective

    Extra detail

    Being in the passive voice.

Examples

  • He played a passive role in the relationship.

  • How can you be so passive? Why don't you retaliate?

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
4
Synonyms
5

Deep Dive

adjective

Extra meanings

  1. Taking no action.

  2. Being subjected to an action without producing a reaction.

  3. Being inactive and submissive in a relationship, especially in a sexual one.

More examples

In context

  • Observation is a passive science, experimentation an active science.

  • He remained passive during the protest.

  • a passive aeroplane

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The blank student never raised his hand or asked a question in class.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

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.