act
One of the main parts of a play, opera, or show. It is a large section of a performance that often contains several smaller scenes.
Examples
3 of 5The first act of the play was very exciting.
The first part of the show was very interesting.
The lead performer appears only in the final act.
The main actor is only in the last section of the performance.
I missed the opening act because I was late.
I didn't see the first performance because I arrived late.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of an ACT as a 'part' of the ACTion on the stage.
Quick Quiz
The play has three ______, and we are now watching the second one.
Correct!
The correct answer is: acts
Examples
The first act of the play was very exciting.
everydayThe first part of the show was very interesting.
The lead performer appears only in the final act.
formalThe main actor is only in the last section of the performance.
I missed the opening act because I was late.
informalI didn't see the first performance because I arrived late.
Scholars often analyze the structure of the third act in tragedies.
academicExperts study how the third section of sad plays is organized.
The variety act for the event has been confirmed.
businessThe performance for the meeting is now decided.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
opening act
the first performer at a concert
tough act to follow
someone or something that was so good it is hard to do better
get in on the act
to participate in something others are already doing
Often Confused With
An act is a large division of a play, while a scene is a smaller section within an act.
Action refers to the process of doing something, while an act is a specific part of a theater performance.
Usage Notes
Use 'act' when referring to the main divisions of a theatrical performance. It is usually followed by a number, such as Act 1 or Act 2.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'act' to mean the whole play, but it only refers to one specific part or section.
Memory Tip
Think of an ACT as a 'part' of the ACTion on the stage.
Word Origin
From the Latin word 'actus', meaning a doing, a driving, or a performance.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Traditional Western plays are often divided into three or five acts to allow for set changes and audience breaks.
Quick Quiz
The play has three ______, and we are now watching the second one.
Correct!
The correct answer is: acts
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
A theater is a building or outdoor area where people go to w...
stageA raised area or platform in a theater where actors, singers...
performancePerformance is how well someone does a task, a job, or an ac...
sceneA scene is a specific part of a movie, play, or book that ta...
scriptA script is the written text of a play, movie, or broadcast....
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