inactive meaning and definition

INACTIVE adjective

Definition of inactive (adjective)

1. (chemistry) not participating in a chemical reaction; chemically inert
   • "desired amounts of inactive chlorine"
2. (pathology) not progressing or increasing; or progressing slowly
   • antonym: active
3. (military) not involved in military operations
   • synonyms: nonoperational
   • antonym: operational
4. not exerting influence or change
   • antonym: active
5. (of e.g. volcanos) not erupting and not extinct
   • "a dormant volcano"
   • synonyms: dormant
   • antonym: active
6. lacking in energy or will
   • "Much benevolence of the passive order may be traced to a disinclination to inflict pain upon oneself"- George Meredith
   • synonyms: passive
   • antonym: active
7. lacking activity; lying idle or unused
   • "an inactive mine"; "inactive accounts"; "inactive machinery"
   • antonym: active
8. not engaged in full-time work
   • "inactive reserve"; "an inactive member"
   • antonym: active
9. not active physically or mentally
   • "illness forced him to live an inactive life"; "dreamy and inactive by nature"
   • antonym: active
10. not in physical motion
    • "the inertia of an object at rest"
    • synonyms: motionless, static, still