inactive

/ɪnˈæktɪv/

Say it: in-AK-tiv

1. adjective Not engaged in action or movement; not working or operating.
The factory has been inactive since the company moved its operations overseas.
2. adjective Relating to a lifestyle with very little physical exercise.
Doctors warn that a physically inactive lifestyle can lead to serious health problems.
3. adjective (Of a substance or disease) not producing a chemical or biological effect; not progressing.
The virus can remain inactive in the body for many years before symptoms appear.
4. adjective (Of a volcano) not having erupted for a long time but not considered extinct.
Though it is currently inactive, scientists constantly monitor the volcano for signs of life.

📖 Seen in the wild

The volcano has been inactive for centuries, but scientists still monitor it for any signs of movement.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ inactive in a sentence

If your online account is inactive for more than 12 months, it may be deleted.
He was politically inactive for most of his life until the recent election sparked his interest.
The committee became inactive after its funding was cut.
Many animals are inactive during the hottest part of the day.
The company's shares remained inactive on the stock market today, with no trades recorded.
She worried that her mind would become inactive if she stopped reading and doing puzzles.
The medication contains several inactive ingredients that help form the pill.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

dormant idle inert sedentary latent quiescent torpid sluggish

dormant · implies a temporary, sleeplike state with potential for future activity.

idle · often suggests not being in use or, for a person, avoiding work.

inert · describes something that lacks the power to move or react, often used in science.

sedentary · specifically refers to a lifestyle characterized by sitting and little physical exercise.

Opposites: active, operative, functioning, busy, energetic

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'inactive' is a straightforward construction from the 17th century. It combines the Latin prefix 'in-', meaning 'not', with the existing English word 'active'. Its meaning has remained stable, always referring to a lack of action or operation.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

remain inactivebecome inactiveinactive accountinactive volcanophysically inactivepolitically inactive

'Inactive' is a versatile and generally neutral term. It describes a state of not being active, which is different from 'lazy', a word that passes negative judgment on character. You can describe a person, a machine, or a process as inactive without implying fault. Its meaning is almost always clear from the context, whether you're discussing an inactive email account, an inactive volcano, or an inactive lifestyle.

Word family: inactivity, inactivate, inactivation

💬 Quick answers

What does inactive mean?

Inactive means not active, not operating, or not engaged in any activity. It can describe anything from a person to a bank account to a volcano.

What is the difference between inactive and dormant?

'Inactive' is a general term for not being in a state of action. 'Dormant' specifically implies a temporary, sleeplike state with the potential to become active again, like a hibernating bear or a seed waiting to sprout.

Is 'inactive' a negative word?

Not inherently. It is a neutral description of a state. While being physically inactive is often seen as negative for one's health, an inactive account or an inactive threat is neutral or even positive.

What is the noun for inactive?

The noun form is 'inactivity', which refers to the state of being inactive. For example, you might talk about the dangers of physical inactivity.

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