passively C1 Topic:Mind & Cognition US /ˈpæsɪvli/ UK /ˈpæs.ɪv.li/ See IPA manual Freq #48905 Meanings 1 adv in a passive manner I listened passively to my neighbor's flute. 2 adv In a passive manner; without conscious or self-directed action. Water flowed passively between tanks via the siphon. 3 adv In an acquiescent manner; resignedly or submissively. Paradoxically, the same faculty who complain about busyness are most likely to end up waiting passively. While they acquiescently wait to write, they busy themselves with other, often trivial, activities. 4 adv In the passive voice; having a passive construction. Statements phrased in an active voice, with a few outcome-oriented goals, improve school performance more than those stated passively with either multiple goals or goals focused on processes or behaviors. Thesaurus Synonyms 2 adv · in a passive manner;... automaticallymindlessly 3 adv · in an acquiescent manner;... resignedlysubmissively Word family Related forms passivepassivenesspassivisationpassivisepassivitypassivizationpassivize Etymology From passive + -ly. Topics Mind & Cognition External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # passively **Type:** Word **Level:** C1 **Part of speech:** adv **IPA (US):** /ˈpæsɪvli/ **IPA (UK):** /ˈpæs.ɪv.li/ **Frequency rank:** 48905 ## Meanings 1. in a passive manner 2. In a passive manner; without conscious or self-directed action. 3. In an acquiescent manner; resignedly or submissively. 4. In the passive voice; having a passive construction. ## Examples - I listened passively to my neighbor's flute. - Water flowed passively between tanks via the siphon. - Paradoxically, the same faculty who complain about busyness are most likely to end up waiting passively. While they acquiescently wait to write, they busy themselves with other, often trivial, activities. - Statements phrased in an active voice, with a few outcome-oriented goals, improve school performance more than those stated passively with either multiple goals or goals focused on processes or behaviors. ## Related Forms - passive - passiveness - passivisation - passivise - passivity - passivization - passivize ## Etymology From passive + -ly. ## Topics - Mind & Cognition markdown