enact
B2Formal (legal/governmental), Neutral (general use).
Definition
Meaning
To make a bill or proposal into an official law.
To perform a role or story on stage; to act out; to make something happen in reality.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In legal contexts, 'enact' is a formal process done by a legislative body. In drama, it means to perform or portray. In general use, it can mean to put something into action, often a plan or idea.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The legal sense is identical in both. The theatrical/general sense is more common in UK English ('enact a scene'), while US English often prefers 'act out' or 'perform' for non-legal contexts.
Connotations
In both, the legal sense carries authority and formality. In general use, 'enact' can sound slightly formal or old-fashioned.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in US English due to common discussion of legislative processes.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject: legislature/body] enact [Object: law/legislation][Subject: person/group] enact [Object: plan/change][Subject: actor/group] enact [Object: scene/story]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “enact revenge”
- “enact a charade”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The board voted to enact the new sustainability policy.
Academic
The study examines how societies enact cultural norms.
Everyday
Let's enact our plan to clean the garage this weekend.
Technical
The parliament is scheduled to enact the Digital Services Act next week.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council hopes to enact the traffic calming measures by autumn.
- The children will enact a scene from Shakespeare.
American English
- Congress is expected to enact the budget bill this Friday.
- The team enacted the contingency plan during the drill.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used.
American English
- Not commonly used.
adjective
British English
- The newly enacted regulations are now in force.
- An enacted play.
American English
- The enacted legislation takes effect in January.
- The enacted version of the script.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The king can enact new laws.
- The actors will enact a funny story.
- The government plans to enact strict environmental rules.
- In history class, we had to enact a famous battle.
- Parliament has just enacted legislation to combat online fraud.
- The workshop participants enacted various conflict-resolution scenarios.
- The chancellor's proposal was enacted with surprisingly broad bipartisan support.
- The artist's installation enacts the complex dynamics of memory and loss.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: To ENACT is to put something into ACTion, like an ACT of law.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOVERNMENT IS A THEATER (enacting laws, staging debates). IDEAS ARE SCRIPTS (enacting a plan).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'акт' (document) - 'enact' is the process of creating that act/law.
- Не переводить как 'включать' (to turn on).
- В театральном смысле ближе к 'разыгрывать', 'исполнять роль', а не просто 'играть' (play).
Common Mistakes
- Wrong: The government will enact to the new tax. Correct: The government will enact the new tax law.
- Confusion with 'exact' (as a verb).
- Using 'enact' for very informal, simple actions ('I enacted making a sandwich').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'enact' correctly in a NON-legal context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The main noun forms are 'enactment' (the process or result of enacting) and 'enactor' (one who enacts).
No, while its most formal and common use is for laws, it can also mean to perform (a play, a scene) or to put an idea or plan into action.
'Enact' means to make a law. 'Enforce' means to ensure people obey that law (e.g., the police enforce the speed limit).
Yes, very commonly, especially in formal/legal contexts (e.g., 'The policy was enacted in 2020').