# reactive

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ɹiːˈæktɪv/ · frequency rank #14,199

## Definitions
1. That reacts or responds to a stimulus.
2. That readily takes part in reactions.
3. Characterized by induction or capacitance rather than resistance.
4. Reacting to the past rather than anticipating the future, not predictive.

## Etymology
From react + -ive.

## Easily confused with
- **receive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reactive-vs-receive)
- **relative** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reactive-vs-relative)
- **realtime** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reactive-vs-realtime)
- **reductive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reactive-vs-reductive)
- **refractive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reactive-vs-refractive)
- **reaction** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reaction-vs-reactive)
- **reactivate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/reactivate-vs-reactive)

## Common misspellings (11)
`eractive`, `raective`, `reacctive`, `reacitve`, `reactiev`, `reactivve`, `reacttive`, `reactvie`, `reatcive`, `recative`, `rreactive`

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