What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Inactive vs Inanimate - What's the difference?

inactive | inanimate | Related terms |

Inactive is a related term of inanimate.


As verbs the difference between inactive and inanimate

is that inactive is while inanimate is (obsolete) to animate .

As adjectives the difference between inactive and inanimate

is that inactive is inactivated while inanimate is lacking the quality or ability of motion; as an inanimate object .

As a noun inanimate is

something that is not alive.

inactive

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Not active, temporarily or permanently
    • The volcano is inactive , but is only dormant.
  • Not functioning or operating; broken down
    • The photocopier is inactive pending repair.
  • Retired from duty or service
    • Admiral Jones is now on the inactive list.
  • (chemistry) Relatively inert
    • Aluminium is inactive towards water.
  • (physics) Showing no optical activity in polarized light
    • Synthetic glycine is optically inactive as it contains equal amounts of the d- and l- form.

    Derived terms

    * inactively * inactivity

    Synonyms

    * (not active) dull, dormant * (not functioning or operating) idle

    Antonyms

    * (not active) active

    inanimate

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Lacking the quality or ability of motion; as an inanimate object .
  • Not being, and never having been alive.
  • * {{quote-book
    • , year=1818 , author=Mary Shelley , title=Frankenstein , chapter=5 citation , passage=I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body.}}
  • (grammar) Not animate.

    • Antonyms

    * (grammar) animate

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Something that is not alive.

    • Verb

    (inanimat)
  • (obsolete) To animate.
    • (John Donne)
    ----