interactive

adjective

in·​ter·​ac·​tive ˌin-tər-ˈak-tiv How to pronounce interactive (audio)
1
: mutually or reciprocally active
2
: involving the actions or input of a user
especially : of, relating to, or being a two-way electronic communication system (such as a telephone, cable television, or a computer) that involves a user's orders (as for information or merchandise) or responses (as to a poll)
interactively adverb
interactivity
ˌin-tər-ak-ˈti-və-tē How to pronounce interactive (audio)
noun

Examples of interactive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Here’s a snapshot of those findings (not in chronological order, because AI’s top of mind these days; plus, my colleague made a cool interactive graphic for you). — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026 Basketball sketches created during an interactive art project during the Summit League Championship last March can now be seen at nearly a dozen neighborhood parks. — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 3 Sep. 2026 Varrrone is an actor and standup comic, who’s had a variety of roles in the 2020s, including in The Bear (2023) and in the interactive Twitch series The Everything Now Show (2023-2025). — Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026 In addition to the chat, there will be interactive games and activities available at the event. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for interactive

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of interactive was in 1832

Rhymes for interactive

See All Rhymes for interactive

Browse Nearby Words

interactionist
interactive
interactivity
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Cite this Entry

“Interactive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/interactive. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

interactive

adjective
in·​ter·​ac·​tive ˌint-ə-ˈrak-tiv How to pronounce interactive (audio)
1
: active between people, groups, or things
2
: involving the actions or input of a user
an interactive museum exhibit
especially : allowing two-way electronic communications (as between a person and a computer)
interactively adverb
interactivity
-ˌrak-ˈtiv-ət-ē How to pronounce interactive (audio)
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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