action

UK /ˈæk.ʃən/ US /ˈæk.ʃən/ Syllables: ac-tion

Pronunciation

Noun A1 Beginner Neutral

Something that is done, or the process of doing something.

Action is the act of doing something, or the thing you do. You take action when a problem needs fixing. An action can be small, like closing a door, or large, like a new law. In stories and films, action means exciting scenes with fights and chases, and an action movie is full of them. The word is also used in phrases such as in action, which means working or playing, and out of action, which means broken or injured.

"The coach called for quick action after they fell behind in the game."

Meanings

Something that is done, or the process of doing something.
Exciting events in a film, story or game.
A way of working or moving, as in the action of a machine.

Example sentences

"The coach called for quick action after they fell behind in the game."

Level A2, Meaning 1
"We watched an action movie last night."

Level A1, Meaning 2
"The police took action against the thieves."

Level A2, Meaning 1
"The player is out of action for two weeks."

Level B1, Meaning 1

Synonyms and antonyms

Synonyms

act deed

Look-alikes and common mistakes

activity : An activity is something you do for fun or as a task. Action is the doing itself, or a single thing done.
act : An act is one deed or one part of a play. Action is the general idea of doing.

Word family and forms

Forms: actions

act active activate react reaction

Word partners

Words and phrases that often go with "action".

take action
quick action
an action movie
in action
out of action
put into action

Idioms and phrases

out of action: Not working or not able to play.; "My phone is out of action until I find the charger."
take action: Do something to deal with a problem.; "The school must take action against bullying."

Origin

Action came into English around the 1300s from Old French, which took it from Latin actio, the act of doing. The Latin word comes from actus, the past participle of agere, to do, plus the ending that names an act. The same root gives act, active and actor.

Checked against: Wiktionary, the free dictionary, Dictionary.com.

How to remember it

Action is act plus ion. Add the ending to the verb act, and the doing becomes a thing.

Test yourself

Which word fits the gap? "The coach called for quick _____ after they fell behind in the game."

Answer: action

In your own words, what does "action" mean?