inert

American  

[in-urt, ih-nurt] / ɪnˈɜrt, ɪˈnɜrt /

adjective

1. having no inherent power of action, motion, or resistance (active ).

   inert matter.

   Synonyms:

   motionless, lifeless, unmoving, immobile

2. Chemistry. having little or no ability to react, as nitrogen that occurs uncombined in the atmosphere.

3. Pharmacology. having no pharmacological action, as the excipient of a pill.

4. inactive or sluggish by habit or nature.

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inert British  

/ ɪnˈɜːt /

adjective

1. having no inherent ability to move or to resist motion

2. inactive, lazy, or sluggish

3. having only a limited ability to react chemically; unreactive

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inert Scientific  

/ ĭn-ûrt′ /

1. Not chemically reactive.

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Related Words

See inactive.

Other Word Forms

• inertly adverb
• inertness noun
• noninert adjective
• noninertly adverb
• noninertness noun
• uninert adjective
• uninertly adverb

Etymology

Origin of inert

First recorded in 1640–50; from Latin inert- (stem of iners ) “unskillful,” equivalent to in- in- ³ + -ert-, combining form of art- (stem of ars ) “skill”; art ¹

Example Sentences

Buffett acknowledged that an inert asset might thrive at times as an object of speculation or when it’s driven by fear about things like war or the value of the dollar.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite the obvious medical concerns, and the chronically inert action, there remains sizable public nostalgia for watching fighters who are too old to fight.

From The Wall Street Journal

But for at least a little while, within the confines of San Francisco’s Moscone Center, there was a glimmer of a life in a contest that has seemed largely inert.

From Los Angeles Times

Together, they looked down at the man lying inert on the grass.

From Literature

In its vegetative state, the plot quickly becomes inert and frustrating, spinning its wheels in ways you never thought wheels could spin.

From Salon

Related Words

• dormant
• immobile
• impotent
• inactive
• listless
• motionless
• paralyzed
• passive
• powerless