Nonliving: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when describing something that has never had life or biological processes, such as rocks or machines.

• The research focused on how nonliving materials can impact the environment

Best used when describing objects that are not alive and do not have the capability of life, commonly associated with everyday objects.

• The inanimate objects in the room included a chair, a table, and a lamp

This can describe something that is without life or vitality and can be used negatively to depict something dull or without energy.

• The desert seemed lifeless and barren
• His performance was lifeless and lacked enthusiasm

Typically used for something that once had life but no longer does. It can also describe devices or systems that have stopped working, sometimes used negatively.

• The plant is dead because it hasn't been watered for weeks
• My phone is dead; I need to charge it

This term can be used in both scientific and everyday contexts to refer to objects or substances without life.

• Clouds consist of nonliving water particles.
• Sand is made up of nonliving granules.

This phrase is often used in everyday conversation to describe objects that do not move or have life.

• The chair is an inanimate object.
• He tripped over an inanimate object on the floor.

This term is usually used in more poetic or dramatic contexts to emphasize the lack of life.

• The abandoned house felt like a lifeless entity.
• The robot stood as a lifeless entity in the corner.

Often used in scientific or philosophical discussions to describe substances or materials that display no signs of life.

• Space is filled with lifeless matter.
• The scientist studied lifeless matter under the microscope.