Origin: Latin suffix -ive
Inactive has 11 different meanings across 1 category:
(chemistry) not participating in a chemical reaction; chemically inert
"desired amounts of inactive chlorine"
(pathology) not progressing or increasing; or progressing slowly
"The doctor noted that the tumor was inactive, showing no signs of growth despite the passage of time."
(military) not involved in military operations
"The battalion was declared inactive after being withdrawn from active combat duties."
not exerting influence or change
"The ancient ruins remained inactive, untouched by time and devoid of any power to alter their surroundings."
lacking activity; lying idle or unused
"an inactive mine"
"inactive accounts"
"inactive machinery"
not active physically or mentally
"illness forced him to live an inactive life"
"dreamy and inactive by nature"
Not active, temporarily or permanently.
"The volcano has been inactive for centuries, showing no signs of eruption."
In plain English: Inactive means not doing anything active, such as when you are just sitting around instead of playing sports or exercising.
"The old computer has been inactive for several months because we rarely turn it on."
The word inactive entered English from the French term inactif. It originally carried the meaning of being not active or idle.