act

Noun

• a manifestation of insincerity
  • he put on quite an act for her benefit
    

• a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program
  • he did his act three times every evening
    
  • she had a catchy little routine
    
  • it was one of the best numbers he ever did
    

• a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet

• something that people do or cause to happen

• a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body

Verb

• perform on a stage or theater
  • She acts in this play
    
  • He acted in `Julius Caesar'
    
  • I played in `A Christmas Carol'
    

• behave unnaturally or affectedly
  • She's just acting
    

• be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure

• have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected
  • The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought
    
  • How does your idea work in practice?
    
  • This method doesn't work
    
  • The breaks of my new car act quickly
    
  • The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water
    

• be suitable for theatrical performance
  • This scene acts well
    

• pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
  • He acted the idiot
    
  • She plays deaf when the news are bad
    

• discharge one's duties
  • She acts as the chair
    
  • In what capacity are you acting?
    

• play a role or part
  • Gielgud played Hamlet
    
  • She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role
    
  • She played the servant to her husband's master
    

• behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself
  • You should act like an adult
    
  • Don't behave like a fool
    
  • What makes her do this way?
    
  • The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people
    

• perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
  • think before you act
    
  • We must move quickly
    
  • The governor should act on the new energy bill
    
  • The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  routine , number , turn , bit , deed , human action , human activity , enactment , play , roleplay , playact , dissemble , pretend , work , act as , represent , behave , do , move
• Antonyms: 
  refrain , forbear