inactive meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

inactive

adj

/ɪnˈæktɪv/

Etymology From French inactif. Piecewise doublet of unactive.

Not active, temporarily or permanently.

Not engaging in physical activity.

[…] exercise in general will lead to dramatic improvements in comparison with an inactive lifestyle.2021, Suzanne Byrd, Practical Tips on Supporting Boys with ADHD:

Not functioning or operating; broken down

Retired from duty or service.

Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences Relatively inert.

Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Physics Showing no optical activity in polarized light.

Synthetic glycine is optically inactive as it contains equal amounts of the d- and l- form.

Synonyms: dull, dormant, idle, abeyant, at rest, cessant, fallow, inactive, inert, languid, latent, nonactive, passive, quiescent, silent, sedent, sedentary, slow, suspended, torpid, unactive, unbusy, unemployed, unoccupied
Antonyms: antonym(s) of, active, in action
Derived terms: bioinactive, inactivate, inactivation, inactive ingredient, inactively, inactiveness, inactivity, inactose, photoinactive
Related terms: delayed
Hyponyms: asleep, calm, dead, hibernating, lazy, obsolete, stationary, vegetative

noun

Etymology From French inactif. Piecewise doublet of unactive.

A person who does not take action.

Typically inactives are poorly educated older women. Their lack of education is overwhelmingly the key factor in assigning the inactives to a life devoid of political activity of any sort.2016, Alan Marsh, Political Action in Europe and the USA, page 47: