act in WordNet English dictionary

1. something that people do or cause to happen
   act  deed  human action  human activity 
   
2. a subdivision of a play or opera or ballet
   act 
   
3. a legal document codifying the result of deliberations of a committee or society or legislative body
   act  enactment 
   
4. a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program
   "he did his act three times every evening"; "she had a catchy little routine"; "it was one of the best numbers he ever did"
   act  routine  number  turn  bit 
   
5. a manifestation of insincerity
   "he put on quite an act for her benefit"
   act 
   

1. behave in a certain manner; show a certain behavior; conduct or comport oneself
   "You should act like an adult"; "Don't behave like a fool"; "What makes her do this way?"; "The dog acts ferocious, but he is really afraid of people"
   act  behave  do 
   
2. pretend to have certain qualities or state of mind
   "He acted the idiot"; "She plays deaf when the news are bad"
   act  play  act as 
   
3. discharge one's duties
   "She acts as the chair"; "In what capacity are you acting?"
   act 
   
4. play a role or part
   "Gielgud played Hamlet"; "She wants to act Lady Macbeth, but she is too young for the role"; "She played the servant to her husband's master"
   act  play  represent 
   
5. perform on a stage or theater
   "She acts in this play"; "He acted in `Julius Caesar'"; "I played in `A Christmas Carol'"
   act  play  roleplay  playact 
   
6. behave unnaturally or affectedly
   "She's just acting"
   dissemble  pretend  act 
   
7. perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
   "think before you act"; "We must move quickly"; "The governor should act on the new energy bill"; "The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel"
   act  move 
   
8. have an effect or outcome; often the one desired or expected
   "The voting process doesn't work as well as people thought"; "How does your idea work in practice?"; "This method doesn't work"; "The breaks of my new car act quickly"; "The medicine works only if you take it with a lot of water"
   work  act 
   
9. be engaged in an activity, often for no particular purpose other than pleasure
   act 
   
10. be suitable for theatrical performance
    "This scene acts well"
    act