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inertlacking the ability or strength to move or act; chemically inactive

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: lacking the ability or strength to move or act; chemically inactive

Pronunciation (IPA): /ɪˈnɜːrt/

Example Sentences

  • My lazy cat becomes completely inert after eating tuna, like a furry doorstop.
  • The chemistry student accidentally mixed reactive chemicals with inert gases.
  • During Monday morning meetings, half the employees sit there looking completely inert.

inert

ADJECTIVE

[/ɪˈnɜːrt/]

lacking the ability or strength to move or act; chemically inactive

The old machine sat inert in the corner, gathering dust for years.
💡 Concept

The old machine sat inert in the corner, gathering dust for years.

From inert to alert, the expert springs to action!
🎵 Rhyme

From inert to alert, the expert springs to action!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ɪˈnɜːrt/
🇬🇧 UK/ɪˈnɜːt/

🌳Etymology

Prefixin--
Rootert

Origin

From Latin 'iners' meaning 'without skill' or 'idle'. Originally described someone lacking artistic or technical abilities, but evolved to mean 'inactive' or 'motionless'.

Breakdown

in- (without/not) + ars/artis (skill/art) → lacking ability to act or move

🎵Rhyme

alertassertexpertdesert
alert
assert
expert
desert

🔗Collocations

inert gas
remain inert
inert material
chemically inert
inert atmosphere
lie inert

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My lazy cat becomes completely inert after eating tuna, like a furry doorstop.

The chemistry student accidentally mixed reactive chemicals with inert gases.

😄 Fun example

During Monday morning meetings, half the employees sit there looking completely inert.

Noble gases are chemically inert under normal conditions.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

inactivelifelessmotionlessdormantstatic

Antonyms

activedynamiclively

Related

passivestagnantimmobiletorpid

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