inert
[ in-urt, ih-nurt ]
/ ɪnˈɜrt, ɪˈnɜrt /
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adjective
having no inherent power of action, motion, or resistance (opposed to active): inert matter.
Chemistry. having little or no ability to react, as nitrogen that occurs uncombined in the atmosphere.
Pharmacology. having no pharmacological action, as the excipient of a pill.
inactive or sluggish by habit or nature.
OTHER WORDS FOR inert
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Origin of inert
synonym study for inert
4. See inactive.
OTHER WORDS FROM inert
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use inert in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for inert
inert
/ (ɪnˈɜːt) /
adjective
having no inherent ability to move or to resist motion
inactive, lazy, or sluggish
having only a limited ability to react chemically; unreactive
Derived forms of inert
inertly, adverbinertness, nounWord Origin for inert
C17: from Latin iners unskilled, from in- 1 + ars skill; see art 1
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
Scientific definitions for inert
inert
[ ĭn-ûrt′ ]
Not chemically reactive.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.