Meaning · adjective
passive
- Not active; accepting or allowing what happens without resistance
- Relating to grammatical voice in which the subject receives the action
- Relating to financial liabilities or losses
In a sentence
Non puoi rimanere del tutto passivo di fronte a queste ingiustizie.
You cannot remain completely passive in the face of these injustices.
Il fumo passivo è dannoso per tutti.
Second-hand smoke is harmful to everyone.
In questa frase il verbo è usato in forma passiva.
In this sentence, the verb is used in the passive voice.
Word forms (4)
| Word | Word forms |
|---|---|
| passivo | masculine · singular |
| passiva | feminine · singular |
| passivi | masculine · plural |
| passive | feminine · plural |
Usage notes
- In grammar, used in 'forma passiva' (passive voice).
- In everyday contexts, describes an attitude of inaction or lack of initiative.