inanimate

[ in-an-uh-mit ]

adjective

1. not animate; lifeless.

   Synonyms: dead, inert, mineral, vegetable, inorganic

2. spiritless; sluggish; dull.

   Synonyms: torpid, dormant, inactive

3. Linguistics. belonging to a syntactic category or having a semantic feature that is characteristic of words denoting objects, concepts, and beings regarded as lacking perception and volition ( animate ).

inanimate

/ ɪnˌænɪˈmeɪʃən; ɪnˈænɪmɪt /

adjective

1. lacking the qualities or features of living beings; not animate

   inanimate objects

2. lacking any sign of life or consciousness; appearing dead
3. lacking vitality; spiritless; dull

Derived Forms

• inˈanimately, adverb
• inˈanimateness, noun

Other Words From

• in·ani·mate·ly adverb
• in·ani·mate·ness in·an·i·ma·tion [in-an-, uh, -, mey, -sh, uh, n], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inanimate¹

From the Late Latin word inanimātus, dating back to 1555–65. See in- ³, animate

Example Sentences

Hernández has also gotten his chance to dress up as inanimate objects or non-human characters, similar to other recent “SNL” breakout star Bowen Yang.

From Salon

In 2019, Car and Driver reported that the Chevrolet Suburban had gotten a star on the boulevard — “the first inanimate object to be so honored,” according to the publication, because “Chevy’s largest SUV has been in more than 1,750 films, and has made an appearance in a movie every year since 1960.”

From Los Angeles Times

If pressed, some argue the indignation over the defacement itself betrays how little our culture values the planet when compared to inanimate works of canvas and pigment.

From Los Angeles Times

These Indigenous positions stand in stark contrast with many in the industry’s insistence that space is empty and inanimate.

From Salon

Puppetry Guild has been creating space for professionals and fans to network, talk shop and generally revel in the art of bringing inanimate objects to life.

From Los Angeles Times