act

DO SOMETHING

B1to do something to deal with a situation

• We must act quickly to stop the fire spreading.
• The police acted on information from the public.

BEHAVE

B1to behave in a particular way

• He's been acting strangely all week.
• Stop acting like a child!

PERFORM

B1to perform as a character in a play or film

• She has acted in several films.
• I've always wanted to act.

HAVE A USE

B2to do a particular job or have a particular effect

• The sofa also acts as a bed.
• He acted as our guide for the day.

ACTION

B1something that someone does

• It was an act of kindness.
• Some people are prepared to commit acts of violence.

LAW

B2a law made by a government

• The act was passed by parliament last year.

PART OF A PLAY

B2one of the main parts of a play or opera

• The hero dies in the third act.

PRETENDING

C1behaviour that hides your real feelings

• She isn't really upset. It's just an act.