proactive

Definition

Acting in advance to deal with an expected change or difficulty.

Etymology

From pro- + active; originally coined 1933 by Paul Whiteley and Gerald Blankfort in a psychology paper, used in technical sense. Used in a popular context and sense (courage, perseverance) in 1946 book Man’s Search for Meaning by neuropsychiatrist Viktor Emil Frankl, in the context of dealing with the Holocaust, as contrast with reactive.

Example Sentences

• "We can deal with each problem as it pops up, or we can take a proactive stance and try to prevent future problems."
• "Staff are also proactive in approaching any passengers looking as though they need assistance, rather than waiting to be approached."