How Do You Spell PASSIVE?

Pronunciation: [pˈasɪv] (IPA)

The word "passive" is spelled with the letters P-A-S-S-I-V-E. The sound represented by the letter "a" is pronounced as [æ], like in the word "cat". The letter "i" is pronounced as [ɪ], like in the word "sit". The letters "ss" together represent a voiced [z] sound, and the letter "v" is pronounced as [v]. Finally, the letter "e" is silent and is not pronounced. Together, these sounds produce the word "passive," which means inactive or not participating.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Plural
Basic Check Advanced Check

PASSIVE Meaning and Definition

  1. Passive is an adjective that describes a state of inaction, passivity, or non-responsiveness to external stimuli. It refers to a lack of assertiveness or initiative, emphasizing a tendency to be influenced or controlled by others rather than taking charge or actively participating in a situation. A passive individual typically adopts a submissive approach, allowing decisions to be made by others without expressing their own desires or opinions.

    In the context of behavior or communication, being passive often involves avoiding confrontation or conflict by remaining silent or compliant. This can manifest as a reluctance to express oneself, engage in debates, or assert personal rights. Passivity can also refer to a lack of active involvement in activities or situations, where one only responds to external cues or instructions without taking an active role.

    In the field of physics, passive is used to describe a component or system that doesn't generate energy or actively control its own output. It simply reacts to, or follows, the conditions imposed by other elements within the system. This characteristic is contrasted with an active component or system that manipulates or regulates energy actively.

    In summary, passive refers to a state of inaction, acquiescence, or lack of initiative. It can be applied to describe human behavior or communication styles as well as in the context of physical systems.

  2. Not active, submissive.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. Not opposing or resisting; suffering without resistance; submissive; denoting that form of a verb in which the object of the active voice becomes the subject.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for PASSIVE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for PASSIVE

Etymology of PASSIVE

The word "passive" comes from the Latin word "passivus", which is derived from the verb "pati", meaning "to suffer" or "to endure". In Latin, "passivus" referred to something that is influenced or acted upon by external forces, rather than exerting its own power or action. From Latin, the word passed into Middle English as "passif" and eventually evolved into the modern English term "passive". The term is used to describe a state of non-resistance, receptiveness, or submission to external influences, as opposed to active or assertive behavior.

Plural form of PASSIVE is PASSIVES

Infographic

Correct spelling for passive
Add the infographic to your website: