verb
deactivate
dee-AK-tih-vayt
Deactivate (verb) means to turn something off or make it no longer work. Example: “You can deactivate your account at any time from the settings page.”
verb
1
To turn something off or make it no longer work.
"You can deactivate your account at any time from the settings page."
"The security guard deactivated the alarm before opening the store."
2
To take a piece of equipment or a person out of active military service.
"The old fleet of tanks was deactivated after the war ended."
How to use deactivate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo switch something off or take it out of use — an account, an alarm, or a piece of military hardware.
Common mistake
Deactivate usually implies something can be reactivated later; deleting is often permanent, deactivating usually isn't.
Common pairings
deactivate an account
deactivate an alarm
deactivated unit
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- deactivates
- Past tense
- deactivated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
You can _____ your account at any time from the settings page.
Etymology
Built from de- ("reverse of") plus activate.
Synonyms
View more →
inactivate
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for deactivate
See all rhymes for deactivate →Frequently asked questions
What does “deactivate” mean?
The word “deactivate” means to turn something off or make it no longer work. In plain terms, to switch something off or take it out of use — an account, an alarm, or a piece of military hardware.
How do you pronounce “deactivate”?
“Deactivate” is pronounced dee-AK-tih-vayt (/ˌdiːˈæktɪveɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “deactivate” in a sentence?
Here is “deactivate” used in a sentence: “You can deactivate your account at any time from the settings page.”
What part of speech is “deactivate”?
“Deactivate” is a verb.
How many meanings does “deactivate” have?
“Deactivate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to turn something off or make it no longer work.
