passive

[ pas-iv ]
/ ˈpæs ɪv /

adjective

noun Grammar.

the passive voice.
a passive form or construction.

Origin of passive

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin passīvus literally, submissive, equivalent to pass(us) (past participle of patī to experience, undergo, submit) + -īvus -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM passive

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH passive

aggressive passive

Example sentences from the Web for passively

British Dictionary definitions for passively

passive
/ (ˈpæsɪv) /

adjective

noun

grammar
  1. the passive voice
  2. a passive verb

Derived forms of passive

passively, adverb passivity or passiveness, noun

Word Origin for passive

C14: from Latin passīvus susceptible of suffering, from patī to undergo

Medical definitions for passively

passive
[ păsĭv ]

n.

Accepting or submitting without resistance or objection.
Of or being an inactive or submissive role in a relationship, especially a sexual relationship.
Chemically unreactive except under special or extreme conditions; inert.