inert
Inert (adjective) means not moving or acting; lifeless or motionless. Example: “The patient lay inert on the stretcher, barely breathing.”
How to use inert
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot doing anything — either not moving at all, or (for a chemical) not reacting with anything else.
Word forms
more inert comparative, inerted past tense, inerts plural, inerts singular, most inert superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The patient lay _____ on the stretcher, barely breathing.
Etymology
From French inerte, from Latin iners, "inactive, unskilled" — in- + ars, "skill."
Frequently asked questions
What does “inert” mean?
The word “inert” means not moving or acting; lifeless or motionless. In plain terms, not doing anything — either not moving at all, or (for a chemical) not reacting with anything else.
How do you pronounce “inert”?
“Inert” is pronounced ihn-URT (/ɪnˈɝt/ in IPA).
How do you use “inert” in a sentence?
Here is “inert” used in a sentence: “The patient lay inert on the stretcher, barely breathing.”
What part of speech is “inert”?
“Inert” is an adjective.
Where does the word “inert” come from?
The word “inert” comes from Latin. From French inerte, from Latin iners, "inactive, unskilled" — in- + ars, "skill.".
Is “inert” a common word?
“Inert” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “inert” have?
“Inert” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not moving or acting; lifeless or motionless.