proactive

/ˌprəʊˈæktɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌprəʊˈæktɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)prō-ˈak-tiv/ (ame, mw)

proactive — adjective

  • proactivepositive
  • more proactivecomparative
  • most proactivesuperlative

1. describes someone who acts before problems appear or situations change, instead

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes someone who acts before problems appear or situations change, instead of just waiting and then responding to what happens

例句

Devika took a proactive approach to safety by scheduling weekly fire drills.

proactive approach to [noun]

Rafael's company took a proactive stance on security and fixed the software before complaints arrived.

proactive stance on [noun]

同義詞
  • enterprising

    emphasises a willingness to take on new projects and risks, more about opportunity than prevention

  • forward-looking

    focuses on long-term planning and vision rather than immediate preventive action

  • pre-emptive

    stronger sense of stopping a specific negative outcome, common in military and medical contexts

  • anticipatory

    centres on predicting and preparing for future events, more formal and less action-oriented

反義詞
  • reactive

    direct opposite: responding only after something happens rather than preventing or preparing

  • passive

    broader in meaning — not taking action at all, whether before or after events

文法句型

be + proactive

proactive + noun (e.g. approach, stance, measures)

proactive about + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Frequently found before nouns such as approach, stance, measures, or plan (attributive use). The direct opposite is reactive — compare: a reactive manager waits for problems; a proactive one addresses them early.

常見錯誤

❌She is very active about planning for emergencies.' (when meaning she takes preventive steps).
✅She is very proactive about planning for emergencies.
💡active means doing many things in general; proactive means taking early action before problems arise.