0%

inert

in·ert
I i

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [in-urt, ih-nurt]
    • /ɪnˈɜrt, ɪˈnɜrt/
    • /ɪˈnɜːt/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [in-urt, ih-nurt]
    • /ɪnˈɜrt, ɪˈnɜrt/

Definitions of inert word

  • adjective inert having no inherent power of action, motion, or resistance (opposed to active): inert matter. 1
  • adjective inert Chemistry. having little or no ability to react, as nitrogen that occurs uncombined in the atmosphere. 1
  • adjective inert Pharmacology. having no pharmacological action, as the excipient of a pill. 1
  • adjective inert inactive or sluggish by habit or nature. 1
  • noun inert Lacking the ability or strength to move. 1
  • adjective inert not active 1

Information block about the term

Origin of inert

First appearance:

before 1640
One of the 44% oldest English words
1640-50; < Latin inert- (stem of iners) unskillful, equivalent to in- in-3 + -ert-, combining form of art- (stem of ars) skill; see art1

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Inert

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

inert popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 95% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

inert usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for inert

adj inert

  • dormant — lying asleep or as if asleep; inactive, as in sleep; torpid: The lecturer's sudden shout woke the dormant audience.
  • motionless — without motion: a motionless statue.
  • immobile — incapable of moving or being moved.
  • impotent — not potent; lacking power or ability.
  • passive — not reacting visibly to something that might be expected to produce manifestations of an emotion or feeling.

adjective inert

  • lifeless — not endowed with life; having no life; inanimate: lifeless matter.
  • unmotivated — to provide with a motive, or a cause or reason to act; incite; impel.
  • slow — moving or proceeding with little or less than usual speed or velocity: a slow train.
  • lethargic — of, relating to, or affected with lethargy; drowsy; sluggish; apathetic.
  • unwilling — not willing; reluctant; loath; averse: an unwilling partner in the crime.

Antonyms for inert

adj inert

  • lively — eventful, stirring, or exciting: The opposition gave us a lively time.
  • mobile — capable of moving or being moved readily.
  • potent — (of a cross) having a crosspiece at the extremity of each arm: a cross potent.
  • animated — Someone who is animated or who is having an animated conversation is lively and is showing their feelings.
  • working — exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something; labor; toil.

Top questions with inert

  • what does inert mean?
  • how many valence electrons do the inert gases have?
  • what is inert?
  • what is an inert gas?
  • why are noble gases inert?
  • what is inert gas?
  • what are inert gases?
  • why are noble gases chemically inert?
  • what is inert mean?
  • what elements are inert gases?
  • why nitrogen is inert gas?
  • who discovered inert gases?
  • why noble gases are inert?
  • what does it mean to be inert?
  • what are inert gasses?

See also

Matching words

Was this page helpful?
Yes No
Thank you for your feedback! Tell your friends about this page
Tell us why?