Standard Lemma guide

bioactive

adj · noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Biologically active; having a biological effect.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Describing a terrarium, vivarium, etc. that is self-sustaining and mimics a natural habitat.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

Such a material

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *gweyh3-der. Ancient Greek βῐ́ος (bĭ́os) Ancient Greek βῐο- (bĭo-)der. English bio- Proto-Indo-European *h2eǵ- Proto-Indo-European *-eti Proto-Indo-European *h2éǵeti Proto-Italic *agō Latin agō Proto-Indo-European *-wós Proto-Indo-European *-iHwósder. Latin -īvus ▲ Ancient Greek ἐνεργητῐκός (energētĭkós)sl. Latin āctīvusbor. Old French actifbor. Middle English actyf English active English bioactive From bio- + active.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: bioactief — having a biological effect
  • Finnish: bioaktiivinen — having a biological effect
  • Hungarian: bioaktív — having a biological effect
  • Indonesian: bioaktif — having a biological effect
  • Norwegian Bokmål: bioaktiv — having a biological effect
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: bioaktiv — having a biological effect
  • Polish: bioaktywny — having a biological effect