Passive

Pronunciation

• UK enPR: păsʹ-Ä­v, IPA: /ˈpæs.ɪv/
• Rhymes: -æsɪv
• Hyphenation: pas + sive

Origin

From French passif, from Latin passivus ("serving to express the suffering of an action; in late Latin literally capable of suffering or feeling"), from pati ("to suffer"), past participle of passus; compare patient.

Full definition of passive

Adjective

1. Being subjected to an action without producing a reaction.
2. Taking no action.He remained passive during the protest.
3. (grammar) Being in the passive voice.
4. (psychology) Being inactive and submissive in a relationship, especially in a sexual one.
5. (finance) Not participating in management.

Antonyms

• active
• aggressive

Synonyms

• inactive
• idle
• disinterested
• uninvolved

Derived terms

Related terms

• passion
• passionate
• patience
• patient

Noun

1. (uncountable, grammar) The passive voice of verbs.
2. (countable, grammar) A form of a verb that is in the passive voice.