The difference between About and Active

When used as adjectives, about means moving around, whereas active means having the power or quality of acting.

About is also preposition with the meaning: in a circle around.

About is also adverb with the meaning: on all sides.

Active is also noun with the meaning: a person or thing that is acting or capable of acting.

check bellow for the other definitions of About and Active

  1. About as a preposition:

    In a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of.

  2. About as a preposition:

    Near; not far from; approximately; regarding time, size, quantity.

  3. About as a preposition:

    On the point or verge of.

    Examples:

    "the show is about to start; I am not about to admit to your crime"

  4. About as a preposition:

    On one's person; nearby the person.

  5. About as a preposition:

    Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.

  6. About as a preposition:

    Concerned with; engaged in; intent on.

  7. About as a preposition:

    Concerning; with regard to; on account of; on the subject of; to affect.

    Examples:

    "He knew more about what was occurring than anyone."

  8. About as a preposition (figurative):

    In or near, as in mental faculties or in possession of; in control of; at one's command; in one's makeup.

    Examples:

    "He has his wits about him."

  9. About as a preposition:

    In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place.

  1. About as an adverb:

    Not distant; approximate. On all sides; around. Here and there; around; in one place and another; up and down. Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, quantity, or time; almost. Near; in the vicinity.

    Examples:

    "'about as cold;  about as high"

  2. About as an adverb:

    In succession; one after another; in the course of events.

  3. About as an adverb:

    On the move; active; astir.

  4. About as an adverb (nautical):

    To a reversed order; half round; facing in the opposite direction; from a contrary point of view. To the opposite tack.

    Examples:

    "to face about;  to turn oneself about'"

  5. About as an adverb (obsolete):

    Preparing; planning.

  6. About as an adverb (archaic):

    In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; in circumference.

    Examples:

    "a mile about, and a third of a mile across"

  7. About as an adverb (chiefly, North America, colloquial):

    Going to; on the verge of; intending to.

  1. About as an adjective:

    Moving around; astir.

    Examples:

    "out and about;  up and about'"

    "After my bout with Guillan-Barre Syndrome, it took me 6 months to be up and about again."

  2. About as an adjective:

    In existence; being in evidence; apparent

  1. Active as an adjective:

    Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting;—opposed to passive, that receives.

    Examples:

    "certain active principles;  the active powers of the mind"

    "synonyms: acting"

    "ant passive"

  2. Active as an adjective:

    Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble.

    Examples:

    "an active child or animal"

    "synonyms: agile nimble"

    "ant passive indolent still"

  3. Active as an adjective (specifically, of a volcano):

    In action; actually proceeding; working; in force Being an active volcano. Compare extinct and dormant

    Examples:

    "'active laws;  active hostilities"

    "synonyms: in action working in force"

    "ant quiescent dormant extinct"

  4. Active as an adjective:

    Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy

    Examples:

    "an active man of business;  active mind;  active zeal"

    "ant dulsluggish indolent inert"

    "synonyms: busy deedfudiligent energetic"

  5. Active as an adjective:

    Requiring or implying action or exertion

    Examples:

    "'active employment or service  active scenes"

    "synonyms: operative"

    "ant passive tranquisedentary"

  6. Active as an adjective:

    Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative

    Examples:

    "an active rather than a speculative statesman"

    "ant theoreticaspeculative"

  7. Active as an adjective:

    Brisk; lively.

    Examples:

    "an active demand for corn"

  8. Active as an adjective:

    Implying or producing rapid action.

    Examples:

    "an active disease;  an active remedy"

    "ant passive slow"

  9. Active as an adjective (grammar):

    About verbs. Applied to a form of the verb; — opposed to passive. See active voice. Applied to verbs which assert that the subject acts upon or affects something else; transitive. Applied to all verbs that express action as distinct from mere existence or state.

  10. Active as an adjective (computing, of [[source code]]):

    Capable of being processed by a compiler or interpreter.

  11. Active as an adjective (gay sexual slang):

    enjoying a role in anal sex in which he penetrates, rather than being penetrated by his partner.

    Examples:

    "synonyms: top"

    "ant passive bottom"

  1. Active as a noun:

    A person or thing that is acting or capable of acting.

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