active and fighting share a recorded sense, so the question is not what they mean but which one fits. active means “tending to become more severe or wider in scope”. fighting means “the act of fighting; any contest or struggle”. fighting is the more common of the two in everyday English.
/ˈæktɪv/
1.adj.tending to become more severe or wider in scope
“active tuberculosis”
2.adj.engaged in or ready for military or naval operations
“on active duty”
3.adj.disposed to take action or effectuate change
“a director who takes an active interest in corporate operations”
/ˈfaɪtɪŋ/
1.n.the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
“a fight broke out at the hockey game”
2.adj.engaged in or ready for military or naval operations
“on active duty”
| active | fighting | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈæktɪv/ | /ˈfaɪtɪŋ/ |
| Said | AK-tiv | FAHY-ting |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| Letters | 6 | 8 |
| Parts of speech | adjective, noun | noun, adjective |
| Senses | 17 | 2 |
| How common | Common | Core |
| Synonyms | none recorded | fight, combat, scrap |
Full entry for active · Full entry for fighting · More comparisons