Cool MateMeaning of Passive
accepting what happens or what people do without trying to change anything or oppose them
In simple words: Not active; receiving action rather than doing it.
Passive in a sentence
- He played a passive role in the relationship.
- a passive observer of events
- She wore a passive expression on her face as if she didn’t care what happened.
- Watching TV is a completely passive activity.
- We are passive recipients of information from the world around us.
How to use Passive
Use 'passive' to describe someone or something that doesn't take action. It's commonly used in grammar, like passive voice. Avoid it in very casual contexts.
Grammar pattern
standalone adjective
Memory hint
Think of a person passively lying down while others work around them.
Related words
Synonyms for Passive
- inactive
- submissive
- docile
- yielding
Common mistakes with Passive
- Confusing with 'passively' (the adverb form).
- Using 'passive' to describe active behavior.
- Misunderstanding its use in grammatical discussions.
Passive appears in
Passive in other languages
- Arabicالعربية
سلبي
غير نشط؛ يتلقى الفعل بدلاً من القيام به.
- Bengaliবাংলা
Passive
সক্রিয় নয়; কিছু করার চেয়ে গ্রহণ করা।
- GermanDeutsch
Passiv
Nicht aktiv; Aktion empfangen statt sie auszuführen.
- SpanishEspañol
Pasivo
No activo; recibiendo acción en lugar de hacerla.
- Persianفارسی
پاسیو
غیرفعال؛ دریافتکننده عمل به جای انجام آن.
- FrenchFrançais
Passif
Pas actif ; recevoir une action plutôt que de la faire.
- Hindiहिन्दी
निष्क्रिय
सक्रिय नहीं; कुछ करने के बजाय कार्रवाई प्राप्त करना।
- ItalianItaliano
Passivo
Non attivo; ricevere un'azione piuttosto che farla.
- PortuguesePortuguês
Passivo
Não ativo; recebendo ação em vez de fazê-la.
- RussianРусский
Пассивный
Неактивный; получающий действие, а не совершающий его.
- Urduاردو
غیر فعال, مفعول
غیر فعال؛ عمل کرنے کے بجائے عمل وصول کرنا۔
- Chinese中文
被动
不主动；接受行动而不是去做。
More words like Passive
- Inactive
- AbandonB2
To leave someone or something and never return to them.
- AbilityA2
the fact that somebody/something is able to do something
- AbruptB1
Happening suddenly and unexpectedly.
- AbsenceC1
the fact of somebody being away from a place where they are usually expected to be; the occasion or period of time when somebody is away
- AbstractB2
based on general ideas and not on any particular real person, thing or situation
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Frequently asked questions about Passive
What does Passive mean?
Not active; receiving action rather than doing it.
What is the definition of Passive?
accepting what happens or what people do without trying to change anything or oppose them
How do you use Passive in a sentence?
He played a passive role in the relationship.
Can you give another example of Passive?
a passive observer of events
What are synonyms for Passive?
Common alternatives include inactive, submissive, docile, yielding.
What is the opposite of Passive?
Opposite meanings include active, engaged, dynamic.
What words go with Passive?
It commonly pairs with be, seem, become, extremely, fairly, very.
What are common mistakes when using Passive?
Confusing with 'passively' (the adverb form). Using 'passive' to describe active behavior. Misunderstanding its use in grammatical discussions.
How do you pronounce Passive?
US: /["/ˈpæsɪv/"]/, UK: /["/ˈpæsɪv/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.
When should I use Passive?
Use 'passive' to describe someone or something that doesn't take action. It's commonly used in grammar, like passive voice. Avoid it in very casual contexts.
What CEFR level is Passive?
"Passive" is at C1 level on the CEFR scale.