action

actionnoun

American /ˈæk.ʃən/ British /ˈæk.ʃən/
plural actions
  1. doing thingsthe process of doing something, especially to achieve a goal, rather than just talking or thinking about it

    uncountable [U]

    Collocations

    verb + noun take action, call for action
    adjective + noun swift action, immediate action, direct action
    noun + preposition action on, action against

    Synonyms act

    Compare act

  2. something donea thing that someone does

    countable [C]

    Collocations

    adjective + noun a kind action, a brave action, a reckless action

Phrases

actions speak louder than words

used to say that you can judge people better by what they do than by what they promise

Common mistakes

We must make an action. We must take action.
Action is used with take, not make, in this common phrase.

For translators

Grammar trap Action is uncountable for the general process of doing something (take action) and countable for one specific thing someone does (his actions).