action and activity share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. action means “something done (usually as opposed to something said)”. activity means “any specific behavior”. action is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈækʃən/
1.n.something done (usually as opposed to something said)
“there were stories of murders and other unnatural actions”
2.n.the state of being active
“his sphere of activity”
3.n.a military engagement
“he saw action in Korea”
/ækˈtɪvəti/
1.n.any specific behavior
“they avoided all recreational activity”
2.n.the state of being active
“his sphere of activity”
3.n.an organic process that takes place in the body
“respiratory activity”
| action | activity | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈækʃən/ | /ækˈtɪvəti/ |
| Said | AK-shuhn | ak-TIV-uh-tee |
| Syllables | 2 | 4 |
| Letters | 6 | 8 |
| Parts of speech | noun, verb | noun |
| Senses | 12 | 6 |
| How common | Core | Common |
| Synonyms | none recorded | none recorded |
Full entry for action · Full entry for activity · More comparisons