Origin: Latin suffix -ive
Aggressive has 4 different meanings across 1 category:
having or showing determination and energetic pursuit of your ends
"an aggressive businessman"
"an aggressive basketball player"
"he was aggressive and imperious; positive in his convictions"
"aggressive drivers"
characteristic of an enemy or one eager to fight
"aggressive acts against another country"
"a belligerent tone"
Characterized by aggression; unjustly attacking; prone to behave in a way that involves attacking or arguing.
"The aggressive driver cut me off without signaling and then yelled insults from behind the wheel."
In plain English: Aggressive means acting with force, anger, or hostility toward others without trying to start something nice.
"The aggressive dog barked at anyone who came near its yard."
Usage: Use aggressive to describe someone who attacks verbally or physically, but avoid it when simply referring to high energy or enthusiasm unless the behavior is genuinely hostile. Distinguish this from assertive, which implies confidence without hostility.
The word aggressive comes from combining Latin aggress- (meaning to attack or begin an action) with the suffix -ive. It entered English through French as a term for someone who initiates conflict rather than merely reacting to it.