noun
Uncommon
inertia
ihn-UR-shuh
Inertia (noun) means In physics, the tendency of an object to keep doing whatever it's already doing — staying still or moving in a straight line — unless a force acts on it. Example: “Passengers lurch forward when a bus brakes suddenly because of inertia.”
noun
1
In physics, the tendency of an object to keep doing whatever it's already doing — staying still or moving in a straight line — unless a force acts on it.
"Passengers lurch forward when a bus brakes suddenly because of inertia."
"The heavier the object, the more inertia it has to overcome to start moving."
2
A reluctance to act, change, or get started; sluggishness.
"Sheer inertia kept him in the same job for twenty years."
How to use inertia
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishResistance to change — an object resisting a change in motion, or a person resisting getting off the sofa.
Common pairings
overcome inertia
the force of inertia
bureaucratic inertia
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Word forms
- Plural
- inertias, inertiae, inertiæ
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Passengers lurch forward when a bus brakes suddenly because of _____.
Etymology
From Latin inertia, "lack of skill, inactivity," from iners — in- + ars, "skill." The physics sense was introduced by the astronomer Johannes Kepler.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for inertia
See all rhymes for inertia →Frequently asked questions
What does “inertia” mean?
The word “inertia” means in physics, the tendency of an object to keep doing whatever it's already doing — staying still or moving in a straight line — unless a force acts on it. In plain terms, resistance to change — an object resisting a change in motion, or a person resisting getting off the sofa.
How do you pronounce “inertia”?
“Inertia” is pronounced ihn-UR-shuh (/ɪnˈɝ.ʃə/ in IPA).
How do you use “inertia” in a sentence?
Here is “inertia” used in a sentence: “Passengers lurch forward when a bus brakes suddenly because of inertia.”
What part of speech is “inertia”?
“Inertia” is a noun.
Where does the word “inertia” come from?
The word “inertia” comes from Latin. From Latin inertia, "lack of skill, inactivity," from iners — in- + ars, "skill." The physics sense was introduced by the astronomer Johannes Kepler.
Is “inertia” a common word?
“Inertia” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “inertia” have?
“Inertia” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in physics, the tendency of an object to keep doing whatever it's already doing — staying still or moving in a straight line — unless a force acts on it.
