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Inanimate vs Inert - What's the difference?

inanimate | inert |

As adjectives the difference between inanimate and inert

is that inanimate is lacking the quality or ability of motion; as an inanimate object while inert is unable to move or act; inanimate.

As nouns the difference between inanimate and inert

is that inanimate is something that is not alive while inert is a substance that does not react chemically.

As a verb inanimate

is to animate.

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)
    ----

    inert

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Unable to move or act; inanimate.
  • Sluggish or lethargic.
  • In chemistry, not readily reacting with other elements or compounds.
  • Having no therapeutic action.

    • Derived terms

    * inert gas * inertly

    See also

    * inertia

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (chemistry) A substance that does not react chemically.

    • Anagrams

    * * * * * ----