# passive

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈpæs.ɪv/ · frequency rank #6,818

## Definitions
1. Being subjected to an action without producing a reaction.
2. Taking no action.
3. Being in the passive voice.
4. Being inactive and submissive in a relationship, especially in a sexual one.
5. Not participating in management.
6. Without motive power.
7. Of a component: that consumes but does not produce energy, or is incapable of power gain.
8. Where allowance is made for a possible future event.

## Etymology
From Middle English passyf, passyve, from Middle French, French passif, from Latin passivus (“serving to express the suffering of an action; in late Latin literally capable of suffering or feeling”), from passus, past participle of pati (“to suffer”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *peh₁- (“to hurt”); compare patient.

## Easily confused with
- **pastime** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/passive-vs-pastime)
- **pensive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/passive-vs-pensive)
- **Passover** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/passive-vs-passover)
- **passively** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/passive-vs-passively)
- **passing** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/passing-vs-passive)
- **passion** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/passion-vs-passive)
- **passage** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/passage-vs-passive)

## Common misspellings (8)
`apssive`, `pasisve`, `pasive`, `passiev`, `passivve`, `passvie`, `ppassive`, `psasive`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/passive