inoperative

[ in-op-er-uh-tiv, -op-ruh-tiv, -op-uh-rey-tiv ]
See synonyms for: inoperativeinoperativeness on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. not operative; not in operation.

  2. without effect: inoperative remedies.

  1. no longer in effect; void; canceled: The earlier rule is now inoperative.

Origin of inoperative

1
First recorded in 1625–35; in-3 + operative

Other words from inoperative

  • in·op·er·a·tive·ness, noun

Words Nearby inoperative

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use inoperative in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for inoperative

inoperative

/ (ɪnˈɒpərətɪv, -ˈɒprə-) /


adjective
  1. not operating

  2. useless or ineffective

Derived forms of inoperative

  • inoperativeness, noun

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