inactive, idle, inert, passive, supine mean not engaged in work or activity. inactive applies to anyone or anything not in action or in operation or at work.

Inactive, dormant, inert, sluggish, torpid suggest lack of activity. Inactive indicates absence of action, indisposition to activity, or cessation of activity: an inactive compound, life, file of papers.

It's bad for your health to be physically inactive. The property market remains largely inactive.

Inactive indicates absence of activity: retired but not inactive; an inactive factory. Idle refers to persons who are not doing anything or are not busy: employees who were idle because of the strike.

Definition of inactive adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Inactive indicates absence of action, indisposition to activity, or cessation of activity: an inactive compound, life, file of papers. Dormant suggests the quiescence or inactivity of that which sleeps but …

Mar 16, 2026 · Adjective inactive (comparative more inactive, superlative most inactive) Not active, temporarily or permanently.

Inactive generally refers to a state of inactivity, dormancy or lack of movement, action or change; not participating or involved in any activity or doing anything.

Someone or something that is inactive is not doing anything or is not working. He certainly was not politically inactive.

Inactive definition: Showing no optical activity in polarized light.