English Explanatory Dictionary

inactive

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Not active, temporarily or permanently.
  2. Not engaging in physical activity.
  3. Not functioning or operating; broken down
  4. Retired from duty or service.
  5. Relatively inert.
  6. Showing no optical activity in polarized light.
noun
  1. A person who does not take action.

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈæktɪv/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-I learned some phrases-inactive.wav

Word forms

inactive more inactive most inactive inactives

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Italic *ən- Latin in- Proto-Indo-European *h₂eǵ- Proto-Indo-European *-eti Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti Proto-Italic *agō Latin agō Proto-Indo-European *-wós Proto-Indo-European *-iHwósder. Latin -īvus ▲ Ancient Greek ἐνεργητῐκός (energētĭkós)sl. Latin āctīvus Latin ināctīvuslbor. French inactifder. English inactive From French inactif. See also earlier unactive.

Synonyms

dormant abeyant at rest cessant fallow inactive inert languid latent nonactive passive quiescent silent sedent sedentary slow suspended torpid unactive unbusy unemployed unoccupied dull idle

Antonyms

antonym(s) of active in action

Related words

delayed

Derived words

bioinactive inactivate inactivation inactive ingredient inactively inactiveness inactivity inactose photoinactive

Translations

Polish: obojętny Polish: bierny
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