Interact

Definition

Act in such a way as to have an effect on another; act reciprocally.

Parts of Speech

• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌɪntərˈækt/
• Respelling: in-ter-AKT (with "in" as in "tin," "ter" as in "her," and "AKT" as in "cat")

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˌɪntəˈrækt/
• Respelling: in-tuh-AKT (with "in" as in "tin," "tuh" as in "sofa," and "AKT" as in "cat")

In both dialects, "interact" places the primary stress on the third syllable, "AKT." The American pronunciation includes a pronounced "ter" sound, while the British pronunciation has a softer "tuh" sound. The articulation focuses on "in-ter-AKT" (American) and "in-tuh-AKT" (British).

Etymology

Derived from the Latin word inter, meaning "between" or "among", combined with the verb agere, meaning "to do" or "to act". It essentially means "to act between" or "to act reciprocally".

Derivatives

• Interaction (noun)
• Interactive (adjective)
• Interactively (adverb)
• Interacting (verb, present participle)
• Interacted (verb, past tense)

Synonyms

• Engage
• Communicate
• Relate

Antonyms

• Disconnect
• Isolate
• Detach

Usage

"Interact" is commonly used in contexts involving communication, social engagement, and reciprocal actions between people, systems, or entities.

Related Terms

• Collaboration
• Dialogue
• Response
• Reciprocity
• Exchange

Detailed Definition

Verb

• Interact (Verb, Social): To engage in communication or activities with others.
  • Example: "Children learn social skills by interacting with their peers."

• Interact (Verb, Systems): For systems or processes to work together or influence one another.
  • Example: "The software is designed to interact seamlessly with various operating systems."

• Interact (Verb, Physics): For particles to exert forces upon one another.
  • Example: "Subatomic particles interact in complex ways within an atom."

Note: The term "interact" emphasizes the mutual or reciprocal action or influence of entities on each other.