American English pronunciation

How to pronounce passive

IPA transcription: ['pæsɪv]

Hear “passive” pronounced

['pæsɪv]

Quality: 1.00

['pæsɪv]

Quality: 1.00

['pæsɪv]

Quality: 1.00

Noun

  • 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”

Adjective

  • lacking in energy or will; - George Meredith

    “Much benevolence of the passive order may be traced to a disinclination to inflict pain upon oneself”

  • expressing that the subject of the sentence is the patient of the action denoted by the verb

    “academics seem to favor passive sentences”

Adjective

  • peacefully resistant in response to injustice

    “passive resistance”