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interact

Etymology and origin of the English word interact

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Compound
First attested
1805

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ɪn.təˈɹækt/ (UK); /ˌɪn.tɚˈækt/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is formed from inter- and the verb act.[2][3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

To act on each other, act reciprocally: 1805 in Etymonline, 1839 in the OED and Merriam-Webster.[2][5][3]

Semantic evolution

Interacting is from 1851–55.[5] To behave in a way that influences and responds to another person is the common modern sense.[4] An earlier noun interact (1750), the interval between two acts of a play or a piece performed in it, was modelled on French entr'acte.[2][5][3]

Timeline

  • 1750 – an interval in a play (noun).[5]
  • 1805 – to act on each other.[2]
  • 1851–55 – interacting.[5]

Modern meaning

Verb

  1. To act on or influence each other.
  2. To communicate or work together with someone.

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  5. ^ a b c d e Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
Cite this entry

“Interact.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/interact. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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