ENGLISH
REFERENCE

inactive

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌɪˈnæktɪv// UK //ɪnˈæktɪv// in·ac·tive

adj. not doing anything or not moving. You use this to describe things that are resting, broken, or not currently working.

adj. not engaging in physical activity or work; lacking the power to move or act. In scientific contexts, it describes substances that do not react chemically with others.


SIMPLE

The volcano has been inactive for hundreds of years.

CONTEXTUAL

The bank closed my account because it had been inactive for over two years.

COMPLEX

The catalyst remains inactive until the temperature reaches a specific threshold, at which point the chemical reaction begins to accelerate rapidly.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From French inactif. See also earlier unactive.

Usage

Often follows a linking verb like 'be', 'become', or 'remain'.

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