Active vs. Inactive — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 14, 2024
Active implies engagement or participation, while inactive denotes a lack of action or movement.
Difference Between Active and Inactive
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Being active involves participation, movement, or engagement in activities or processes. It can refer to physical activity, such as exercising, or to participation in various tasks or roles that require involvement and effort. In contrast, being inactive signifies a state of rest, lack of movement, or abstention from involvement in activities or processes.
In a physical or health-related context, an active lifestyle is characterized by regular physical activity, contributing to better health and well-being. Conversely, an inactive lifestyle, marked by sedentary behavior, is associated with health risks and a lack of physical fitness.
In the realm of social or professional engagement, an active individual participates in community activities, takes on roles, and contributes to discussions or projects. An inactive individual, however, may refrain from participation, choosing instead to observe or remain detached.
Technologically or mechanically, active components or systems are those that require energy input to operate or that actively influence their environment, such as active sensors or software applications running tasks. Inactive components or systems, meanwhile, do not require energy to maintain their state or are currently not in operation, like dormant software or powered-down devices.
In the context of substances or chemical reactions, an active substance is one that is chemically reactive or capable of effecting change, while an inactive substance is stable, inert, or lacking in reactivity under the same conditions.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Engaged in action or movement
Lacking action or movement
Physical context
Regular physical activity
Sedentary behavior, lack of fitness
Social/Professional
Participates and contributes
Refrains from participation
Technological
Requires energy, influences environment
Does not require energy, not operating
Chemical
Chemically reactive
Stable, inert
Compare with Definitions
Active
Involves engagement or movement.
She maintains an active lifestyle with regular exercise.
Inactive
Characterized by rest or lack of movement.
Long periods of inactivity can affect one's health.
Active
Contributes to processes or tasks.
An active member of the team often leads projects.
Inactive
Absence of participation.
He's been inactive in community events this year.
Active
Chemically reactive.
Active ingredients in medicine provide therapeutic effects.
Inactive
Can imply neglect or omission.
Inactive accounts may be closed due to prolonged disuse.
Active
Requires energy input to function.
Active sensors detect changes in their environment.
Inactive
Systems or devices not in use.
The app remains inactive until opened by the user.
Active
Associated with positive outcomes.
Active participation in class is linked to better learning outcomes.
Inactive
Chemically stable or inert.
Inert gases are considered chemically inactive under normal conditions.
Active
Engaging or ready to engage in physically energetic pursuits
Although he was seventy he was still robust and active
Inactive
Inactive is a TRPV channel in invertebrates. Inactive mutant flies show locomotor and hearing deficits.
Active
(of a thing) working; operative
The old watermill was active until 1960
Inactive
Not engaging in or involving any or much physical activity
An inactive lifestyle
Active
Denoting a voice of verbs in which the subject is typically the person or thing performing the action and which can take a direct object (e.g. she loved him as opposed to the passive form he was loved).
Inactive
Not active or tending to be active
Inactive students at risk for gaining weight.
Active
An active form of a verb.
Inactive
Not functioning or operating; out of use
Inactive machinery.
Active
Being in physical motion
Active fish in the aquarium.
Inactive
Not being in continuous use or operation
An inactive brokerage account.
Active
Functioning or capable of functioning.
Inactive
Retired from duty or service
Inactive military personnel.
Active
Marked by energetic activity; busy
Active stock and bond markets.
Spent an active day sightseeing.
Inactive
(Chemistry) Not readily participating in chemical reactions; inert.
Active
Involving or requiring physical exertion and energy
An active workout at the gym.
Inactive
(Medicine) Marked by the absence or lessening of disease activity.
Active
Being in a state of action; not quiescent
Active hostilities along the border.
Inactive
(Physics) Showing no optical activity in polarized light.
Active
Erupting or liable to erupt; not dormant
An active volcano.
Inactive
Not active, temporarily or permanently.
The volcano is inactive, but is only dormant.
Inactive user accounts may be deleted after 90 days.
Active
Marked by or involving direct participation
Took an active interest in politics.
Played an active role on the committee.
Inactive
Not engaging in physical activity.
Active
Currently in use or effect
An active membership.
Inactive
Not functioning or operating; broken down
The photocopier is inactive pending repair.
Active
Openly acknowledged or expressed
An active dislike of the new neighbors.
Inactive
Retired from duty or service.
Admiral Jones is now on the inactive list.
Active
Producing an intended action or effect
Active ingredients.
Inactive
(chemistry) Relatively inert.
Aluminium is inactive towards water.
Active
Indicating that the grammatical subject of a verb is performing or causing the action expressed. Used of a verb form or voice.
Inactive
(physics) Showing no optical activity in polarized light.
Synthetic glycine is optically inactive as it contains equal amounts of the d- and l- form.
Active
Expressing action rather than a state of being. Used of verbs such as run, speak, and move.
Inactive
A person who does not take action.
Active
Of or relating to the management of an investment portfolio by continually making investment decisions based on new information as opposed to maintaining a predetermined strategy or reproducing the returns of a market or index.
Inactive
Not active; having no power to move; that does not or can not produce results; inert; as, matter is, of itself, inactive.
Active
Being a source of electrical energy, as a generator.
Inactive
Not disposed to action or effort; not diligent or industrious; not busy; idle; as, an inactive officer.
Active
Capable of converting or amplifying voltages or currents, as a diode or transistor.
Inactive
Not exhibiting any action or activity on polarized light; optically inactive; optically neutral; - said of isomeric forms of certain substances, in distinction from other forms which are optically active; as, racemic acid is an inactive tartaric acid.
Active
Being on full military duty and receiving full pay.
Inactive
Lacking biological or biochemical activity; not causing a specific biological or biochemical effect; - said of substances such as enzymes which have lost their catalytic power, or of small molecules which are tested for some type of biological activity and found to lack that activity; as, after boiling for ten minutes, the enzyme was totally inactive; the methyl analog was inactive as an antibiotic.
Active
The active voice.
Inactive
Not participating in a chemical reaction;
Desired amounts of inactive chlorine
Active
A construction or form in the active voice.
Inactive
Not progressing or increasing; or progressing slowly
Active
A participating member of an organization
Union actives.
Inactive
Not active or exerting influence
Active
Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting;—opposed to passive, that receives.
Certain active principles
The active powers of the mind
Inactive
Of e.g. volcanos; permanently inactive;
An extinct volcano
Active
Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble.
An active child or animal
Inactive
Of e.g. volcanos; temporarily inactive;
A dormant volcano
Active
In action; actually proceeding; working; in force
Active laws
Active hostilities
Inactive
Lacking in energy or will;
Much benevolence of the passive order may be traced to a disinclination to inflict pain upon oneself
Active
Emitting hot materials, such as lava, smoke, or steam, or producing tremors.
Inactive
Lacking activity; lying idle or unused;
An inactive mine
Inactive accounts
Inactive machinery
Active
Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy
An active man of business
Active mind
Active zeal
Inactive
Not engaged in full-time work;
Inactive reserve
An inactive member of the department
Active
Requiring or implying action or exertion
Active employment or service
Active scenes
Inactive
Not active physically or mentally;
Illness forced him to live an inactive life
Dreamy and inactive by nature
Active
Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative
An active rather than a speculative statesman
Inactive
Not engaged in military action
Active
Brisk; lively.
An active demand for corn
Inactive
Not in physical motion;
The inertia of an object at rest
Active
Implying or producing rapid action.
An active disease
An active remedy
Inactive
Temporarily inactive
Active
About verbs.
Active
Applied to a form of the verb; — opposed to passive. See active voice.
Active
Applied to verbs which assert that the subject acts upon or affects something else; transitive.
Active
Applied to all verbs that express action as distinct from mere existence or state.
Active
Eligible to be processed by a compiler or interpreter.
Active
(electronics) Not passive.
Active
A person or thing that is acting or capable of acting.
Active
(electronics) Any component that is not passive. See Passivity (engineering).
Active
Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting; - opposed to passive, that receives; as, certain active principles; the powers of the mind.
Active
Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble; as, an active child or animal.
Active and nervous was his gait.
Active
In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; - opposed to quiescent, dormant, or extinct; as, active laws; active hostilities; an active volcano.
Active
Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy; - opposed to dull, sluggish, indolent, or inert; as, an active man of business; active mind; active zeal.
Active
Requiring or implying action or exertion; - opposed to sedentary or to tranquil; as, active employment or service; active scenes.
Active
Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative; - opposed to speculative or theoretical; as, an active rather than a speculative statesman.
Active
Brisk; lively; as, an active demand for corn.
Active
Implying or producing rapid action; as, an active disease; an active remedy.
Active
Applied to a form of the verb; - opposed to passive. See Active voice, under Voice.
Active
Chemical agent capable of activity
Active
The voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is performing the action or causing the happening denoted by the verb;
`The boy threw the ball' uses the active voice
Active
A person devoted to the active life
Active
Tending to become more severe or wider in scope;
Active tuberculosis
Active
Engaged in or ready for military or naval operations;
On active duty
The platoon is combat-ready
Review the fighting forces
Active
Disposed to take action or effectuate change;
A director who takes an active interest in corporate operations
An active antagonism
He was active in drawing attention to their grievances
Active
Taking part in an activity;
An active member of the club
He was politically active
The participating organizations
Active
Characterized by energetic activity;
An active toddler
Active as a gazelle
An active man is a man of action
Active
Exerting influence or producing an effect;
An active ingredient
Active
Full of activity or engaged in continuous activity;
An active seaport
An active bond market
An active account
Active
In operation;
Keep hope alive
The tradition was still alive
An active tradition
Active
Of the sun; characterized by a high level activity in sunspots and flares and radio emissions
Active
Expressing that the subject of the sentence has the semantic function of actor:
Hemingway favors active constructions
Active
Expressing action rather than a state of being; used of verbs (e.g. `to run') and participial adjectives (e.g. `running' in `running water')
Active
(of e.g. volcanos) erupting or liable to erupt;
Active volcanos
An extinct volcano
Active
Producing activity or change
Active
Engaged in full-time work;
Active duty
Though past retirement age he is still active in his profession
Active
Being in physical motion;
Active fish in the aquarium
Active
Characterized by energetic bodily activity;
Tennis is an active sport
A very physical dance performance
Common Curiosities
Can an inactive lifestyle impact mental health?
Yes, an inactive lifestyle can negatively affect mental health, contributing to issues like depression and anxiety.
Is it possible for an inactive device to consume power?
Inactive devices may consume a small amount of power, known as standby power, but significantly less than when in active use.
Can a system be designed to switch between active and inactive states?
Many systems are designed with mechanisms to switch between active and inactive states to conserve energy or extend their operational lifespan.
How can one transition from being inactive to active?
Transitioning from inactivity to activity involves setting realistic goals, gradually increasing activity levels, and incorporating varied activities to maintain interest.
Do active and inactive states affect productivity?
Generally, being active in relevant tasks can enhance productivity, while inactivity, especially due to procrastination, can hinder it.
How do active and inactive states relate to energy conservation?
Managing active and inactive states, especially in technology and machinery, is crucial for energy conservation and efficiency.
Can an active chemical become inactive?
Yes, through chemical reactions or changes in conditions, an active chemical can become inactive or stabilized.
How does inactivity affect aging?
Inactivity can accelerate aging-related declines in physical and cognitive health, whereas staying active can help mitigate these effects.
Can someone be physically active but socially inactive?
Yes, an individual can lead a physically active lifestyle while choosing not to participate in social or community activities.
Are all active substances dangerous?
Not all active substances are dangerous; their safety depends on their nature, usage, and the context in which they are handled.
Can an active status in one area compensate for inactivity in another?
While being active in one area can have broad benefits, it doesn't fully compensate for the drawbacks of inactivity in another area, as each has unique impacts.
Are there benefits to having inactive periods?
Yes, inactive periods, such as rest or breaks, are essential for recovery, preventing burnout, and maintaining long-term productivity and well-being.
What roles do active participation play in learning?
Active participation enhances learning by engaging students, encouraging critical thinking, and allowing practical application of knowledge.
Can an inactive lifestyle be reversed?
An inactive lifestyle can be reversed through conscious efforts to incorporate more physical activity and engagement in daily routines.
How do active and inactive states influence environmental sustainability?
Active and inactive states of devices and systems can significantly influence energy consumption and efficiency, impacting environmental sustainability.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
