Inactive: meaning, definitions and examples

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inactive

[ɪnˈæktɪv ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

state of being

Not engaging in physical or mental activity; not functioning or operating.

Synonyms

dormant, idle, motionless, passive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
inactive	Use this word to describe someone or something not engaged in any activity. It can apply to people, devices, or states. He has been inactive in sports since his injury. The volcano has been inactive for several centuries.
idle	This word implies a state of rest without any immediate intention to work or be active. It often carries a negative connotation when referring to people. He spent the afternoon idle, doing nothing productive. After the project's completion, the machines were left idle.
dormant	Often used in scientific or natural settings to describe something that is temporarily inactive, but can become active again. The seeds will remain dormant until the spring. The volcano is currently dormant, but could erupt again.
passive	Used to describe someone or something that does not take action or is not actively involved. Often has a negative connotation when describing people's behavior. He remained passive during the entire discussion, not contributing at all. The plant has passive solar heating, which requires little energy input.
motionless	Best used when describing something or someone that is not moving. It focuses on the lack of physical movement. She stood motionless, afraid to make a sound. The lake was still and motionless in the early morning.

Examples of usage

He has been inactive since he retired.
The inactive volcano hasn't erupted in centuries.
Her inactive lifestyle led to weight gain.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

military

A member of the reserve force who is not on active duty.

Synonyms

non-active duty member, reservist.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
inactive	This can describe someone or something not currently engaging in activity or work. It is commonly used in general contexts. The club has been inactive for months. His membership in the gym is now inactive.
reservist	Specific to military contexts, a reservist is someone who is part of a reserve force and can be called to active duty if needed. The reservist was called to serve during the emergency. Many military reservists have civilian jobs.
non-active duty member	Commonly used in military contexts to refer to a person who is part of the armed forces but not currently serving active duty. He is a non-active duty member and only gets called for training. As a non-active duty member, she spends most of her time at home.

Word

Description / Examples

inactive

This can describe someone or something not currently engaging in activity or work. It is commonly used in general contexts.

The club has been inactive for months.
His membership in the gym is now inactive.

reservist

Specific to military contexts, a reservist is someone who is part of a reserve force and can be called to active duty if needed.

The reservist was called to serve during the emergency.
Many military reservists have civilian jobs.

non-active duty member

Commonly used in military contexts to refer to a person who is part of the armed forces but not currently serving active duty.

He is a non-active duty member and only gets called for training.
As a non-active duty member, she spends most of her time at home.

Examples of usage

He was called up from the inactive reserves for deployment.
The inactive soldiers were on standby for emergencies.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

Derived from the Latin word 'inactivus,' meaning 'not acting,' combining 'in-' (not) with 'actus' (act).
The prefix 'in-' often negates the meaning of the word it attaches to, emphasizing the absence of action.
First recorded use in the English language dates back to the mid-19th century.

Science

In biology, 'inactive' can describe proteins that are not currently performing their function, often due to changes in environment or conditions.
Many medications can be described as 'inactive' if they don't produce a therapeutic effect when not taken as prescribed.
Sedentary behavior, often labeled as inactive, can lead to health risks such as obesity and heart disease.

Society

Inactive membership in various organizations can result in a loss of benefits and networking opportunities.
Socially, individuals labeled as inactive may experience feelings of isolation or disengagement from community activities.
The term is also used to describe voters who do not participate in elections, impacting democratic engagement.

Technology

An inactive user on a digital platform may lead to decreased interaction and ultimately reduced content visibility for the platform.
Computers can enter an inactive state when not in use, often to save energy or extend component life.
Inactive applications on smartphones stay installed but do not consume resources until returned to use.

Pop Culture

In films, characters who are depicted as inactive often experience a turning point that ignites their journey or quest.
Inactive roles in sports can highlight the importance of teamwork, where someone may not participate directly but supports others.
Social media narratives often contrast active lifestyles with inactive ones, promoting a constant push for engagement and productivity.

Translations

Translations of the word "inactive" in other languages:

🇵🇹 inativo

🇮🇳 निष्क्रिय

🇩🇪 inaktiv

🇮🇩 tidak aktif

🇺🇦 неактивний

🇵🇱 nieaktywny

🇯🇵 非活性

🇫🇷 inactif

🇪🇸 inactivo

🇹🇷 etkisiz

🇰🇷 비활성

🇸🇦 غير نشط

🇨🇿 neaktivní

🇸🇰 neaktívny

🇨🇳 不活跃

🇸🇮 neaktiven

🇮🇸 óvirkur

🇰🇿 белсенді емес

🇬🇪 უკვეაქტიურ

🇦🇿 fərsiz

🇲🇽 inactivo

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,321 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
8318 insult
8319 signatures
8320 discrepancy
8321 inactive
8322 forage
8323 continuum
8324 feudal
...