inactive

adjective in·ac·tive \(ˌ)i-ˈnak-tiv\

: not doing things that require physical movement and energy : not exercising

: not involved in the activities of a group or organization

: no longer being used : not currently being used

Full Definition of INACTIVE

: not active: as

a (1) : sedentary (2) : indolent, sluggish

b (1) : being out of use (2) : relating to or being members of the armed forces who are not performing or available for military duties (3) of a disease : quiescent

c (1) : chemically inert (2) : optically neutral in polarized light

d : biologically inert especially because of the loss of some quality (as infectivity or antigenicity)

— in·ac·tive·ly adverb

— in·ac·tiv·i·ty \-ˌnak-ˈti-və-tē\ noun

See inactive defined for English-language learners

See inactive defined for kids

First Known Use of INACTIVE

1664

Related to INACTIVE

Synonyms: dull, inert, lethargic, quiescent, sleepy, sluggish, torpid

Antonyms: active

Synonym Discussion of INACTIVE

inactive, idle, inert, passive, supine mean not engaged in work or activity. inactive applies to anyone or anything not in action or in operation or at work <on inactive status as an astronaut> <inactive accounts>. idle applies to persons that are not busy or occupied or to their powers or their implements <workers were idle in the fields>. inert as applied to things implies powerlessness to move or to affect other things; as applied to persons it suggests an inherent or habitual indisposition to activity <inert ingredients in drugs> <an inert citizenry>. passive implies immobility or lack of normally expected response to an external force or influence and often suggests deliberate submissiveness or self-control <passive resistance>. supine applies only to persons and commonly implies abjectness or indolence <a supine willingness to play the fool>.

Rhymes with INACTIVE

abstractive, attractive, contractive, detractive, distractive, extractive, impactive, proactive, protractive, reactive, refractive, subtractive

INACTIVITY Defined for Kids

inactive

adjective in·ac·tive \i-ˈnak-tiv\

Definition of INACTIVE for Kids

: not active or in use <an inactive volcano> <inactive mines>

Medical Dictionary

inactive

adjective in·ac·tive \(ˈ)in-ˈak-tiv\

Medical Definition of INACTIVE

: not active: as a : marked by deliberate or enforced absence of activity or effort <forced by illness to lead an inactive life> b of a disease : not progressing or fulminating : quiescent c (1) : chemically inert <inactive charcoal> (2) : not exhibiting optical activity in polarized light d : biologically inert especially because of the loss of some quality (as infectivity or antigenicity)