interact

Meanings

1. 1verbintransitive

   To talk, work or spend time with others so that each affects the other.

   Grammar: Takes no object and is usually followed by with: interact with colleagues.

   Patterns

   • interact with someone
   • interact with each other

   Toddlers learn language by interacting with the adults around them.

   The nurses interact with patients all day.

   Students interact more when they work in small groups.

2. 2verbintransitivetechnical

   To affect each other when combined or brought together, as with chemicals, medicines or forces.

   Grammar: Subject can be the things that affect each other: the two drugs interact.

   Patterns

   • interact with something

   Some medicines interact badly with alcohol.

   The two chemicals interact to form a thick gel.

   Sunlight and ocean temperatures interact to shape the weather.

3. 3verbintransitivecomputing

   To use a computer system, app or device by giving input and getting a response.

   Grammar: Followed by with: interact with the screen.

   Patterns

   • interact with something

   Visitors can interact with the exhibit by touching the screen.

   Players interact with the game through a handheld controller.

   Users interact with the app by speaking to it.

Word forms

Common combinations

interact with customers

Sales staff interact with customers all day.

interact socially

Some children find it hard to interact socially at first.

interact closely

The two departments interact closely on every project.

interact with the environment

Plants interact with the environment through their leaves and roots.

drugs interact

Check whether your drugs interact before taking them together.

interact directly

The software lets users interact directly with the data.

Synonyms and how they differ

communicate

Communicate means exchanging information, while interact is broader and covers any activity that affects each other.

engage

Engage often means actively involving yourself with someone or something, and it is usually more purposeful than interact.

mingle

Mingle means moving among people at a social event, so it is lighter than interact.

cooperate

Cooperate means working together toward a shared goal, whereas interact makes no promise of agreement.

Opposites

Word family

interaction noun

communication or mutual effect between people or things

interactive adjective

allowing two-way communication or activity

interactively adverb

in a way that responds to a user's actions

interactivity noun

the quality of allowing two-way involvement

Commonly confused: interact or react?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “interact”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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