English Explanatory Dictionary

inert

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Unable to move or act; inanimate.
  2. Sluggish or lethargic.
  3. Not readily reacting with other elements or compounds.
  4. Having no therapeutic action.
noun
  1. A substance that does not react chemically.
verb
  1. To fill with an inert gas to reduce the risk of explosion.

Pronunciation

/ɪnˈɜːt/ /ɪˈnɜːt/ /ɪnˈɝt/ /ənˈɝt/ /ɪˈnɝt/ En-us-inert.ogg

Word forms

inert more inert most inert inerts inerting inerted

Etymology

From French inerte, from Latin iners (“inactive, inert”).

Synonyms

dormant immovable abeyant at rest cessant dull fallow idle inactive inert languid latent nonactive passive quiescent silent sedent sedentary slow suspended torpid unactive unbusy unemployed unoccupied fixed immobile immotile inanimate lifeless sessile static rigid stationary stuck unmovable unmoveable ponderous slothful bone-idle fainéant indolent lackadaisical lazy lither otiose sluggish swear work-shy crawling slack slow-moving languorous draggy creeping dreich gastropodous glacial heavy-footed inching

Related words

inertia

Derived words

anti-inert-neutrino bioinert inert antineutrino inert gas inertitude inertly inertness inert neutrino inert pair effect mucoinert noninert practico-inert
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