passive

(noun, adjective)

adjective

1. lacking in energy or will

- the passive man sat all day

Similar word(s): resistless, unresisting, supine, inactive

2. peacefully resistant in response to injustice

- passive resistance

Similar word(s): nonviolent, peaceful

3. (grammar) having a passive voice in a sentence.

- academics seem to favor passive sentences

Sentences with passive as an adjective:

- He remained passive during the protest.

- a passive balloon; a passive aeroplane; passive flight, such as gliding and soaring

noun

1. the voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is the recipient (not the source) of the action denoted by the verb

- `The ball was thrown by the boy' uses the passive voice

- `The ball was thrown' is an abbreviated passive

Definition categories: link, voice