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Inactive vs Temporary - What's the difference?

inactive | temporary |

As adjectives the difference between inactive and temporary

is that inactive is not active, temporarily or permanently while temporary is not permanent; existing only for a period or periods of time.

As a noun temporary is

one serving for a limited time; short-term employee.

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

    temporary

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Not permanent; existing only for a period or periods of time.
  • Existing only for a short time or short times; transient, ephemeral.

    • Synonyms

    * See also

    Noun

    (temporaries)
  • One serving for a limited time; short-term employee.

    • Synonyms

    * temp