act upon something Definition

act
noun

1. A thing done; a deed.

Thesaurus: action, deed, performance, exploit.
2. The process of doing something.

Example: caught in the act
3. Behaviour that is intended to make an impression on people and is not a sincere expression of feeling.

Example: Her shyness is just an act
Thesaurus: pose, affectation, falsification, feigning, pretence, ruse, performance.
4a. A short piece of entertainment, usually one of a series in a variety show;
4b. The person or people performing this.
5. A major division of a play, opera, etc. Compare scene.

Thesaurus: scene, canto, segment, episode.
6. A formal decision reached, or a law passed, by a law-making body.

Thesaurus: law, judgement, order, announcement, edict, proposal, decree, ordinance.
Form: Act (often)
7. formal
The written proceedings of a society or committee.
Form: Acts

verb acted, acting

intr
1. To behave or function in a specified way.

Example: act tough
Example: acting strangely
Thesaurus: behave, seem, appear, carry oneself, carry on, bear oneself, comport oneself.
intr
2. To do something; to take action.

Example: need to act fast
Thesaurus: do, execute, carry on, operate, accomplish, achieve, consummate, function, be in action, transact, do one's stuff (slang); Antonym: wait, rest.
intr
3. To perform in a play or film.
4a. To perform (a part) in a play or film;
4b. To perform (a play).
5. To play the part of someone or something.

Example: to act the fool
intr
6. To show feelings one does not really have.

Thesaurus: put on airs, pretend.

Derivative: actable
adj

Derivative: actability
noun

Idiom: act of God

An event beyond human control, especially a natural disaster such as an earthquake.

Idiom: act one's age

To behave appropriately for one's age.

Idiom: get in on the act

colloq
To start taking part in some profitable activity, plan, etc in order to share in the benefits.

Idiom: get one's act together

colloq
To become organized and ready for action, especially in relation to a specific undertaking.

Etymology: 14c; late 15c as verb: from Latin actum thing done.

Phrasal Verb: act as someone or something

To perform the actions or functions of (a specified person or thing).
Example: He acted as caretaker until an appointment was made

Phrasal Verb: act for someone

To stand in as substitute for them.

Phrasal Verb: act on or upon someone or something

To have an effect or influence on them or it.

Phrasal Verb: act on or upon something

To follow (advice, etc); to obey (instructions, etc).

Phrasal Verb: act something out

To express (one's feelings, fears, etc) in one's behaviour, usually unconsciously.

Phrasal Verb: act up

Said of a machine, etc: to fail or function erratically.To behave badly.