WordGarden.ioinactive
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪnˈæktɪv/
US
- /ˌɪˈnæktɪv/
Meanings
Adjective
not active, working, or currently in use
doing little physical activity or exercise
not enabled, running, or recently used in a digital system
More meaningsFewer meanings
not chemically, biologically, or pharmacologically effective
Beyond the definition
Something that's inactive isn't doing anything right now. It's paused, stopped, or not currently in use. Think of a volcano that hasn't erupted in years; it's inactive, but it could erupt again. A social media account is inactive if the user hasn't logged in for months. It doesn't necessarily mean something is broken, just not active at the moment. A volcano can be inactive, and a person can be physically inactive if they do very little exercise.
The word also describes people who aren't participating or involved in a specific group. An inactive member of a club isn't attending meetings or contributing to projects. Ultimately, it's about a lack of current action rather than a permanent state of being finished.
To be inactive means lacking activity; it describes something that is not currently being used, functioning, or engaged in any kind of operation. Think of an inactive railway line—the tracks are still there, but no trains are running on them. Or consider a computer program that's minimized and hidden; it's inactive until you click to open it again.
The term applies to various contexts: physical objects like machines, biological systems like dormant seeds, or even people. An inactive volcano isn't erupting, but it hasn't necessarily gone extinct. Similarly, a person might become inactive due to illness or injury, meaning they are temporarily unable to participate in physical activities.
In a more abstract or technical sense, "inactive" can describe something that is not currently affecting events or producing a physical effect. For example, an inactive ingredient in medicine doesn't have therapeutic properties, but it helps with the formulation or delivery of the drug.
You'll often see "inactive" used in contexts involving accounts and memberships. An inactive bank account is one that hasn't been used for a long period and may eventually have fees charged on it or be closed. Similarly, an inactive subscription is one that is no longer being used or is temporarily not running.
So, whether it's a sleeping volcano, a paused program, or a forgotten account, "inactive" signals a temporary or potential lack of action—a state of rest rather than complete cessation.
Examples
- 1
Daily routine
He has become more inactive since he started working from home.
- 2
Student club
The student club was inactive during the summer break.
- 3
Account status
If you do not use the account for six months, it will be marked inactive.
- Phrasemarked inactive
officially treated as not being used
- 4
Volcano status
The volcano has been inactive for hundreds of years, but scientists still watch it.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Product label
Check the label for both the active and inactive ingredients.
- Domainactive and inactive ingredients
the main working ingredient and the other substances in a product
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- inactive account
- inactive ingredient
- inactive status
- physically inactive
Word family
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Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- inactivenounadjective
Forms
- inactivespluralnounadjective