Active vs. Inactive — What's the Difference?

Involves engagement or movement.

Characterized by rest or lack of movement.

Contributes to processes or tasks.

Absence of participation.

Chemically reactive.

Can imply neglect or omission.

Requires energy input to function.

Systems or devices not in use.

Associated with positive outcomes.

Chemically stable or inert.

Engaging or ready to engage in physically energetic pursuits

Inactive is a TRPV channel in invertebrates. Inactive mutant flies show locomotor and hearing deficits.

(of a thing) working; operative

Not engaging in or involving any or much physical activity

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).

Not active or tending to be active

An active form of a verb.

Not functioning or operating; out of use

Being in physical motion

Not being in continuous use or operation

Functioning or capable of functioning.

Retired from duty or service

Marked by energetic activity; busy

(Chemistry) Not readily participating in chemical reactions; inert.

Involving or requiring physical exertion and energy

(Medicine) Marked by the absence or lessening of disease activity.

Being in a state of action; not quiescent

(Physics) Showing no optical activity in polarized light.

Erupting or liable to erupt; not dormant

Not active, temporarily or permanently.

Marked by or involving direct participation

Not engaging in physical activity.

Currently in use or effect

Not functioning or operating; broken down

Openly acknowledged or expressed

Retired from duty or service.

Producing an intended action or effect

(chemistry) Relatively inert.

Indicating that the grammatical subject of a verb is performing or causing the action expressed. Used of a verb form or voice.

(physics) Showing no optical activity in polarized light.

Expressing action rather than a state of being. Used of verbs such as run, speak, and move.

A person who does not take action.

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.

Not active; having no power to move; that does not or can not produce results; inert; as, matter is, of itself, inactive.

Being a source of electrical energy, as a generator.

Not disposed to action or effort; not diligent or industrious; not busy; idle; as, an inactive officer.

Capable of converting or amplifying voltages or currents, as a diode or transistor.

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.

Being on full military duty and receiving full pay.

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.

The active voice.

Not participating in a chemical reaction;

A construction or form in the active voice.

Not progressing or increasing; or progressing slowly

A participating member of an organization

Not active or exerting influence

Having the power or quality of acting; causing change; communicating action or motion; acting;—opposed to passive, that receives.

Of e.g. volcanos; permanently inactive;

Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble.

Of e.g. volcanos; temporarily inactive;

In action; actually proceeding; working; in force

Lacking in energy or will;

Emitting hot materials, such as lava, smoke, or steam, or producing tremors.

Lacking activity; lying idle or unused;

Given to action; constantly engaged in action; energetic; diligent; busy

Not engaged in full-time work;

Requiring or implying action or exertion

Not active physically or mentally;

Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative

Not engaged in military action

Brisk; lively.

Not in physical motion;

Implying or producing rapid action.

Temporarily inactive

About verbs.

Applied to a form of the verb; — opposed to passive. See active voice.

Applied to verbs which assert that the subject acts upon or affects something else; transitive.

Applied to all verbs that express action as distinct from mere existence or state.

Eligible to be processed by a compiler or interpreter.

(electronics) Not passive.

A person or thing that is acting or capable of acting.

(electronics) Any component that is not passive. See Passivity (engineering).

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.

Quick in physical movement; of an agile and vigorous body; nimble; as, an active child or animal.

In action; actually proceeding; working; in force; - opposed to quiescent, dormant, or extinct; as, active laws; active hostilities; an active volcano.

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.

Requiring or implying action or exertion; - opposed to sedentary or to tranquil; as, active employment or service; active scenes.

Given to action rather than contemplation; practical; operative; - opposed to speculative or theoretical; as, an active rather than a speculative statesman.

Brisk; lively; as, an active demand for corn.

Implying or producing rapid action; as, an active disease; an active remedy.

Applied to a form of the verb; - opposed to passive. See Active voice, under Voice.

Chemical agent capable of activity

The voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is performing the action or causing the happening denoted by the verb;

A person devoted to the active life

Tending to become more severe or wider in scope;

Engaged in or ready for military or naval operations;

Disposed to take action or effectuate change;

Taking part in an activity;

Characterized by energetic activity;

Exerting influence or producing an effect;

Full of activity or engaged in continuous activity;

In operation;

Of the sun; characterized by a high level activity in sunspots and flares and radio emissions

Expressing that the subject of the sentence has the semantic function of actor:

Expressing action rather than a state of being; used of verbs (e.g. `to run') and participial adjectives (e.g. `running' in `running water')

(of e.g. volcanos) erupting or liable to erupt;

Producing activity or change

Engaged in full-time work;

Being in physical motion;

Characterized by energetic bodily activity;

Yes, an inactive lifestyle can negatively affect mental health, contributing to issues like depression and anxiety.

Inactive devices may consume a small amount of power, known as standby power, but significantly less than when in active use.

Many systems are designed with mechanisms to switch between active and inactive states to conserve energy or extend their operational lifespan.

Transitioning from inactivity to activity involves setting realistic goals, gradually increasing activity levels, and incorporating varied activities to maintain interest.

Generally, being active in relevant tasks can enhance productivity, while inactivity, especially due to procrastination, can hinder it.

Managing active and inactive states, especially in technology and machinery, is crucial for energy conservation and efficiency.

Yes, through chemical reactions or changes in conditions, an active chemical can become inactive or stabilized.

Inactivity can accelerate aging-related declines in physical and cognitive health, whereas staying active can help mitigate these effects.

Yes, an individual can lead a physically active lifestyle while choosing not to participate in social or community activities.

Not all active substances are dangerous; their safety depends on their nature, usage, and the context in which they are handled.

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.

Yes, inactive periods, such as rest or breaks, are essential for recovery, preventing burnout, and maintaining long-term productivity and well-being.

Active participation enhances learning by engaging students, encouraging critical thinking, and allowing practical application of knowledge.

An inactive lifestyle can be reversed through conscious efforts to incorporate more physical activity and engagement in daily routines.

Active and inactive states of devices and systems can significantly influence energy consumption and efficiency, impacting environmental sustainability.