Definition of PASSIVE

passive

Meanings

Plural: passives

Noun

  • the voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is the recipient (not the source) of the action denoted by the verb
    • "`The ball was thrown by the boy' uses the passive voice"
    • "`The ball was thrown' is an abbreviated passive"
  • The passive voice of verbs.
  • A form of a verb that is in the passive voice.
  • A customer who is satisfied with a product or service, but not keen enough to promote it by word of mouth.
  • Any component that consumes but does not produce energy, or is incapable of power gain.
  • Ellipsis of passive attack.
  • A thing whose worth decreases with time.

Adjective

  • lacking in energy or will; - George Meredith
    • "Much benevolence of the passive order may be traced to a disinclination to inflict pain upon oneself"
  • expressing that the subject of the sentence is the patient of the action denoted by the verb
    • "academics seem to favor passive sentences"

Adjective Satellite

  • peacefully resistant in response to injustice
    • "passive resistance"

Adj

  • Being subjected to an action without producing a reaction.
  • Taking no action.
  • Being in the passive voice.
  • Being inactive and submissive in a relationship, especially in a sexual one.
  • Not participating in management.
  • Without motive power.
  • Of a component: that consumes but does not produce energy, or is incapable of power gain.
  • Where allowance is made for a possible future event.

Origin / Etymology

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.

Synonyms

disinterested, idle, inactive, passive voice, peaceful, uninvolved

Antonyms

active, active voice, aggressive

Scrabble Score: 12

passive is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
passive is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
passive is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

passive is a valid Words With Friends word