reactive

[ ree-ak-tiv ]
/ riˈæk tɪv /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR reactive ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

tending to react.
pertaining to or characterized by reaction.
Electricity. pertaining to or characterized by reactance.

Origin of reactive

First recorded in 1705–15; react + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM reactive

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH reactive

proactive reactionary reactive

Words nearby reactive

reaction of degeneration, reaction time, reaction turbine, reactionary, reactivate, reactive, reactive component, reactive depression, reactive hyperemia, reactive schizophrenia, reactive thrust

Words related to unreactive

dormant, motionless, immobile, impotent, passive, inactive, paralyzed, listless, powerless, apathetic, asleep, dead, down, dull, idle, impassive, inanimate, indolent, languid, lazy

British Dictionary definitions for unreactive (1 of 2)

unreactive
/ (ˌʌnrɪˈæktɪv) /

adjective

(of a substance) not readily partaking in chemical reactions

British Dictionary definitions for unreactive (2 of 2)

reactive
/ (rɪˈæktɪv) /

adjective

readily partaking in chemical reactions sodium is a reactive metal; free radicals are very reactive
of, concerned with, or having a reactance
responsive to stimulus
(of mental illnesses) precipitated by an external cause reactive depression

Derived forms of reactive

reactively, adverb reactivity (ˌriːækˈtɪvɪtɪ) or reactiveness, noun

Medical definitions for unreactive

reactive
[ rē-ăk′tĭv ]

adj.

Tending to be responsive or to react to a stimulus.
Characterized by reaction.
Tending to participate readily in chemical reactions.