adjective
Uncommon
inactive
ihn-AK-tihv
Inactive (adjective) means not currently active or in use, whether for a short time or permanently. Example: “The account has been inactive for over a year.”
adjective
1
Not currently active or in use, whether for a short time or permanently.
"The account has been inactive for over a year."
"The shop's website has been inactive since the owners retired."
"Inactive members are removed from the mailing list after a long period without logging in."
2
Not physically active; not getting exercise.
"Sitting at a desk all day left him feeling inactive and sluggish."
"Doctors warn that an inactive lifestyle can harm your heart over the years."
"After weeks of illness, the usually sporty boy was inactive and restless."
3
No longer working or functioning properly.
"The old volcano has been inactive for centuries."
"The factory machinery sat inactive after the power supply failed."
"The inactive engine would not start, however many times we tried."
How to use inactive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot doing anything at the moment — switched off, unused, or not moving.
Common pairings
inactive account
physically inactive
lie inactive
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Word forms
- Plural
- inactives
- Comparative
- more inactive
- Superlative
- most inactive
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The account has been _____ for over a year.
Etymology
From French inactif, ultimately from Latin in- plus activus.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for inactive
See all rhymes for inactive →Frequently asked questions
What does “inactive” mean?
The word “inactive” means not currently active or in use, whether for a short time or permanently. In plain terms, not doing anything at the moment — switched off, unused, or not moving.
How do you pronounce “inactive”?
“Inactive” is pronounced ihn-AK-tihv (/ɪnˈæktɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “inactive” in a sentence?
Here is “inactive” used in a sentence: “The account has been inactive for over a year.”
What is another word for “inactive”?
Words with a similar meaning to “inactive” include dormant, abeyant, at rest, cessant, fallow and languid.
What is the opposite of “inactive”?
The opposite of “inactive” — its antonyms — are antonym(s) of, active and in action.
What part of speech is “inactive”?
“Inactive” is an adjective.
Where does the word “inactive” come from?
The word “inactive” comes from Latin. From French inactif, ultimately from Latin in- plus activus.
Is “inactive” a common word?
“Inactive” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between inactive and dormant?
Inactive is a broad term for something not currently active or in use, whether briefly or permanently, while dormant more specifically suggests something is temporarily inactive but capable of becoming active again, like a dormant volcano or a dormant account.
What does it mean for an account to be inactive?
An inactive account is one that is not currently being used or accessed, which can happen because a user stopped logging in or the account was deliberately suspended. It does not necessarily mean the account has been permanently closed.
What is the difference between an inactive person and a sedentary person?
Inactive describes someone not physically active or not getting exercise, while sedentary specifically describes a lifestyle involving a lot of sitting and little movement. A person can be inactive without their lifestyle being formally described as sedentary.
