proactive

American  

[proh-ak-tiv] / proʊˈæk tɪv /

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.

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proactive British  

/ 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

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of proactive

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

Example Sentences

The couple said they’ve been proactive in prioritizing the mental well-being and happiness of their children since losing their Altadena home.

From Los Angeles Times

Listen to that instinct and be more proactive in speaking up when the bill arrives — or before it arrives.

From MarketWatch

There’s little for consumers to do in this environment besides wait for rates to improve — or, more proactively, improve their credit scores to qualify for lower interest rates.

From MarketWatch

El Amin also conveys proactive self-defense techniques, such as spacial awareness and being attuned to your environment, and he shows clients how to use their voices as defensive tools.

From Los Angeles Times

Policymakers have pledged to maintain proactive fiscal policy and deploy monetary tools, but headline lending figures still look underwhelming.

From Barron's