proactive

[proh-ak-tiv]

adjective

1. serving to prepare for, intervene in, or control an expected occurrence or situation, especially a negative or challenging one; anticipatory.

   The new guidelines will help industry employers develop proactive measures to keep their workplaces safe.

proactive

/ prəʊˈæktɪv /

adjective

1. tending to initiate change rather than reacting to events

2. psychol of or denoting a mental process that affects a subsequent process

Other Word Forms

• proactive noun
• proactivity noun
• proactiveness noun
• proactively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of proactive¹

First recorded in 1930–35; pro- ¹ + active

Word History and Origins

Origin of proactive¹

C20: from _pro- ² + ( _re ) _active

Example Sentences

It sounds like you want someone who is both proactive and responsible.

Read more on MarketWatch

Holz: The industry might retaliate in a more proactive way with a different presidential figure, but no political party seems pro the drug industry.

Read more on Barron's

He added: “The arsonist set the first fire, but the Fire Department proactively has a duty to do certain things.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Aston Martin said while "positive dialogue" had been achieved with the US government directly, the firm was still seeking proactive support from the UK.

Read more on BBC

A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said that since the early 2010s, the force had "significantly invested in and improved" its safeguarding capability and taken a "proactive and meticulous approach to exploring previous incidents".

Read more on BBC

When To Use

What does proactive mean?

Proactive is the opposite of reactive. Actions that are proactive are initiated not in reaction to a situation but instead out of a desire to make a positive change, prepare for a situation, or prevent something from happening.Proactive is commonly used to describe people who take such actions. It’s also commonly used in the phrase proactive measures, meaning proactive actions, especially those done to prevent a negative situation.Example: Henry credits most of his success to being proactive instead of waiting for opportunities to come to him.