HOW TO PRONOUNCE
passive
/ˈpæs.ɪv/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 1:03
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What does passive mean?
adjective
- Being subjected to an action without producing a reaction.
- Taking no action.
- Being in the passive voice.
More meanings (11)
adjective
- 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.
noun
- 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.
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/ˈpæs.ɪv/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
She lay back in her chair, passive and still, seeing the figure of her relentless enemy ever present before her aching eyes.
There was therefore no hope but in passive fortitude, and in that strong reliance on Heaven natural to great and generous characters.
More book examples (3)
We are only passive, in so far as we are apart of Nature, which cannot be conceived by itself without other parts.
Moreover, woman shall further assert her power by refusing to remain the passive instrument of sensual self-gratification on the part of men.
It is not necessary always to lie down to have your body passive enough after vigorous exercise to get the best results.