inanimate

[ in-an-uh-mit ]

/ ɪnˈæn ə mɪt /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR inanimate ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

not animate; lifeless.

spiritless; sluggish; dull.

Linguistics. belonging to a syntactic category or having a semantic feature that is characteristic of words denoting objects, concepts, and beings regarded as lacking perception and volition (opposed to animate).

Words nearby inanimate

inalterable, inamorata, inamorato, inane, inanga, inanimate, inanition, inanity, inapparent, inappeasable, inappellable

Origin of inanimate

From the Late Latin word inanimātus, dating back to 1555–65. See in-³, animate

SYNONYMS FOR inanimate

1 inorganic, vegetable, mineral; inert, dead.

2 inactive, dormant, torpid.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR inanimate ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM inanimate

in·an·i·mate·ly, adverbin·an·i·mate·ness, in·an·i·ma·tion

[in-an-uh-mey-shuhn] /ɪnˌæn əˈmeɪ ʃən/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for inanimate

She has been reduced to porter, to Sherpa, to something even less–some inanimate bit of set decoration.
The Language of Margaret Thatcher’s Handbags|Robin Givhan|April 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“Thank God for my computer,” says the star, who often films personal “video diaries” with her inanimate friend.
Six Things We Learned From the Beyoncé Documentary|Anna Klassen|February 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Firearms, after all, are inanimate objects, incapable of inflicting harm on their own initiative.
Angry Gun-Control Debate Does Damage to Both the Right and the Left|Michael Medved|January 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And Lara Stone's baby will not be named after a fruit or some other inanimate object.
One Direction Is Launching Perfume; Kate Middleton Plays Hockey In Heels|The Fashion Beast Team|November 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Libra Born under the only inanimate sign symbol—the Scales—you can be said to quell your very human emotions.
Zodiac Beast: May 1-7|Starsky + Cox|April 30, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Meanwhile, low and imperfect sounds, that had in them more of inanimate than human, assailed her ear.
Ormond, Volume III (of 3)|Charles Brockden Brown
If inanimate nature, such as trees or grass, can express sorrow.
Ontario Teachers' Manuals: Literature|Ontario Ministry of Education
It is, then, that by which the animate differs from the inanimate.
Five Stages of Greek Religion|Gilbert Murray
At verse 39 attention is turned from inanimate nature to the living creatures for which God provides.
Expositor's Bible: The Book of Job|Robert Watson
It is usually awkward and slightly illogical to attribute possession to inanimate objects.
The Century Handbook of Writing|Garland Greever

British Dictionary definitions for inanimate

inanimate

/ (ɪnˈænɪmɪt) /

adjective

lacking the qualities or features of living beings; not animateinanimate objects

lacking any sign of life or consciousness; appearing dead

lacking vitality; spiritless; dull

Derived forms of inanimate

inanimately, adverbinanimateness or inanimation (ɪnˌænɪˈmeɪʃən), noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for inanimate

inanimate

[ ĭn-ăn′ə-mĭt ]

adj.

Not having the qualities associated with active, living organisms; not animate.

Other words from inanimate

in•an′i•mate•ness n.

inanimate

adjective

Words related to inanimate

Words nearby inanimate

Origin of inanimate

SYNONYMS FOR inanimate

OTHER WORDS FROM inanimate

Examples from the Web for inanimate

British Dictionary definitions for inanimate

adjective

Derived forms of inanimate

Medical definitions for inanimate

adj.

Other words from inanimate