First Known Use: 1647
Dictionary
inert
adjective in·ert \i-ˈnərt\
: unable to move
: moving or acting very slowly
chemistry : not able to affect other chemicals when in contact with them : not chemically reactive
Full Definition of INERT
1
: lacking the power to move
2
: very slow to move or act : sluggish
3
: deficient in active properties; especially : lacking a usual or anticipated chemical or biological action
— inert noun
— in·ert·ly adverb
— in·ert·ness noun
See inert defined for English-language learners
See inert defined for kids
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Origin of INERT
Latin inert-, iners unskilled, idle, from in- + art-, ars skill — more at arm
Related to INERT
Synonym Discussion of INERT
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>.
Other Chemical Engineering Terms
Rhymes with INERT
advert, alert, assert, avert, bellwort, birthwort, Blackshirt, brownshirt, bush shirt, camp shirt, colewort, concert, convert, covert, desert, dessert, dissert, divert, dress shirt, evert, exert, expert, exsert, figwort, fleawort, glasswort, hair shirt, Hastert, hornwort, insert, invert, lousewort, lungwort, madwort, milkwort, mugwort, nightshirt, outskirt, overt, pay dirt, pervert, pilewort, ragwort, redshirt, revert, ribwort, saltwort, sandwort, Schubert, seagirt, sea squirt, soapwort, spearwort, spleenwort, stitchwort, stonewort, stuffed shirt, subvert, sweatshirt, toothwort, T-shirt, ungirt
INERTNESS Defined for Kids
inert
adjective in·ert \i-ˈnərt\
Definition of INERT for Kids
: unable or slow to move or react <inert gas>
— in·ert·ness noun
Medical Dictionary
inert
adjective in·ert \in-ˈərt\
Medical Definition of INERT
1
: lacking the power to move
2
: deficient in active properties; especially : lacking a usual or anticipated chemical or biological action <an inert drug>
—in·ert·ness noun
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