interactive

[ in-ter-ak-tiv ]

adjective

1. acting one upon or with the other.
2. of or relating to a two-way system of electronic communications, as by means of television or computer:

   interactive communications between families using two-way cable television.

3. (of a computer program or system) interacting with a human user, often in a conversational way, to obtain data or commands and to give immediate results or updated information:

   For many years airline reservations have been handled by interactive computer systems.

interactive

/ ˌɪntərˈæktɪv /

adjective

1. allowing or relating to continuous two-way transfer of information between a user and the central point of a communication system, such as a computer or television
2. (of two or more persons, forces, etc) acting upon or in close relation with each other; interacting

interactive

1. If users receive real-time feedback from a computer so that they can modify the use of the machine, the hardware, software, or content, the system is said to be interactive.

Derived Forms

• ˌinteracˈtivity, noun

Other Words From

• inter·active·ly adverb
• nonin·ter·active adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of interactive¹

First recorded in 1825–35; inter- + active

Example Sentences

It has partnered, and bought a stake in, Israeli video-production company Eko, which has developed things like interactive toy catalogs for Walmart.

From Fortune

A webpage can be interactive with JavaScript in ways that do not require a UI.

From Search Engine Land

An interactive flood map produced by USGS shows most of the land surrounding the sports arena would be inundated if the sea rose just over four feet.

From Voice of San Diego

An interactive from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History offers close looks at ancient bones to show how early humans ate — and got eaten.

From Science News For Students

We have made those additions, but subsequent changes will be tracked only in our interactive.

From FiveThirtyEight

Literature in the 14th century, Strohm points out, was an intimate, interactive affair.

From The Daily Beast

“We truly are interactive and open to everyone,” Peterman told me.

From The Daily Beast

We see the value in having an interactive platform, where anyone can share their point of view.

From The Daily Beast

A webcam girl could offer a “hands on” interactive session without ever having to leave the bedroom or swap bodily fluids.

From The Daily Beast

Their playful exhibitions are often meant to be interactive and instill a childlike sense of joy in the viewer.

From The Daily Beast

We can conceive of few books more useful and interactive to the average boy than this.

From Project Gutenberg

The causes of pathologic and accidental abortion are very numerous and often interactive.

From Project Gutenberg

We see many more examples in interactive multimedia, or in the heavy traffic of Internet-based communication.

From Project Gutenberg

Regardless of the degree of complexity, the interactive component of orality cannot be maintained in writing.

From Project Gutenberg

Interactive TV will undoubtedly contribute even more in this direction.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bilateral
• collective
• reciprocal