Inactive

Inactive is an adjective describing something that is not currently active or in operation. It denotes a temporary or persistent state of rest or pause, rather than a completed or permanent cessation. The term is widely used across domains—technology, biology, medicine, and everyday speech—to distinguish between what could act or respond and what does not at present.

Etymology: from Latin inactivus, from in- "not" + actus "done, active"; formed in English to indicate the absence of activity. In common usage, inactive is often contrasted with active, but it can also carry nuances such as standby, idleness, or potential for future action. Some contexts prefer dormant to describe long-lasting inactivity with potential reactivation.

Biology and health: in biology, "inactive" can refer to a state of a cell, enzyme, or seed that is not proceeding with its usual function, such as an inactive precursor (zymogen) that requires activation. In pharmacology, inactive ingredients (excipients) accompany the active drug but do not affect therapeutic action.

Technology and everyday use: in computing, an account or process can be inactive during a period of no activity, while devices may be in an idle or standby state. In sports and social contexts, an "inactive" person or member is not currently participating or active in a given activity or organization.

Overall, inactive describes present non-activity while leaving open the possibility of reactivation, and it is distinct from terms such as dormant, idle, or inert depending on context.