Dictionary.com

inert

[ in-urt, ih-nurt ]
/ ɪnˈɜrt, ɪˈnɜrt /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for: inert / inertness on Thesaurus.com
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.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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”; see art1

synonym study for inert

4. See inactive.

OTHER WORDS FROM inert

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to inert

dormant, immobile, impotent, inactive, listless, motionless, paralyzed, passive, powerless, apathetic, asleep, dead, down, dull, idle, impassive, inanimate, indolent, languid, languorous

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, noun

Word 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.
FEEDBACK