inactive
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.not doing anything or not working at the moment.
adj.not currently functioning, operating, or engaged in activity.
Simple“The volcano has been inactive for over a hundred years.”
In context“The account was flagged as inactive after the user failed to log in for six consecutive months.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.not doing much exercise or physical work.
adj.characterised by a lack of physical exertion or exercise.
Simple“If you are inactive for too long, you might start to feel stiff.”
In context“Medical professionals warn that an inactive lifestyle significantly increases the risk of developing chronic cardiovascular conditions.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
adj.not causing a chemical reaction.
adj.exhibiting little or no chemical reactivity under specified conditions.
Simple“The gas is inactive and does not react with other chemicals.”
In context“The catalyst remains inactive until the temperature of the chamber reaches four hundred degrees Celsius.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
n.someone who does not take part in an activity or take action.
n.a person who remains passive or fails to take necessary action during an event.
Simple“The leader criticised the inactives in the group for not helping with the project.”
In context“The report distinguished between those who protested and the inactives who merely watched from the sidelines.”
SynonymsidlerlayaboutAntonyms
“Understanding inactive black holes is important because most known black holes are dormant, including the one at the center of the Milky Way.”
“When the light is turned off and the material cools, the lysozyme reverts to its inactive form.”
From French inactif. See also earlier unactive.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.