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Inactive vs Inoperative - What's the difference?

inactive | inoperative |

As adjectives the difference between inactive and inoperative

is that inactive is inactivated while inoperative is not working or functioning; either idle or broken.

As a verb inactive

is .

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

    inoperative

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • not working or functioning; either idle or broken
  • (legal) No longer legally binding