Agressive

Agressive is a common misspelling of the English adjective aggressive. The correct spelling is aggressive, with two g's and two s's. In formal writing, aggressive is the standard form, and aggressive as a misspelling should be corrected.

Meaning and usage: Aggressive describes behavior, actions, or attitudes that are forceful, confrontational, or ready to attack or assert oneself. It can refer to physical aggression, but it also applies to competitive or vigorous conduct, such as an aggressive business strategy or an aggressive negotiating stance. The term can carry negative connotations when it implies hostility, or neutral connotations when used to describe determination or intensity.

Etymology: Aggressive derives from Latin aggressivus, from aggressus, the past participle of aggredi (to approach or attack). It entered English through Old French agressif. The root conveys movement toward a target or goal, often with force.

Related forms and notes: Related words include aggression (the noun), aggressiveness (the quality of being aggressive), aggressor (one who initiates aggression), and aggressively (the adverb form). The concept appears in psychology, sociology, sports, politics, and everyday language, where it is important to distinguish between legitimate assertiveness and harmful hostility.

Common usage advice: When not intending hostility, consider alternative descriptors such as assertive or vigorous. In writing, prefer aggressive over agressive to avoid a standard spelling error and potential reader distraction.