different between unworkable vs inactive

English

Etymology

From un- +? workable.

Adjective

unworkable (comparative more unworkable, superlative most unworkable)

1. Not workable or operable; not practical; unmanageable.

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

unworkable (plural unworkables)

1. Something that is not workable, or cannot be made to work.
   • 2004, Don Aslett, The Office Clutter Cure (page 44)

     We all have some secret little hope that the unworkables will be resurrected. You haven't seen any of the occupants of the pyramids pull this off yet, nor will you see any use for old, outdated, dead office stuff.

   • 2011, Terry Kay, Bogmeadow's Wish (page 33)

     His effort at maintaining a casual relationship was one of the unworkables in his life. Ealy had once observed that friends may become lovers, but lovers could never be friends.

English

Etymology

From French inactif. See also earlier unactive.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n?ækt?v/
• Rhymes: -ækt?v

Adjective

inactive (comparative more inactive, superlative most inactive)

1. Not active, temporarily or permanently.

   The volcano is inactive, but is only dormant.

   An inactive boy, he rarely exercised and preferred to stay indoors.

2. Not functioning or operating; broken down

   The photocopier is inactive pending repair.

3. Retired from duty or service.

   Admiral Jones is now on the inactive list.

4. (chemistry) Relatively inert.

   Aluminium is inactive towards water.

5. (physics) Showing no optical activity in polarized light.

   Synthetic glycine is optically inactive as it contains equal amounts of the d- and l- form.

Synonyms

• (not active): dull, dormant; see also Thesaurus:inactive
• (not functioning or operating): idle

Antonyms

• (not active): active

Derived terms

• inactively
• inactivity

Translations

Anagrams

• antivice, vaticine

French

Verb

inactive

1. first-person singular present indicative of inactiver
2. third-person singular present indicative of inactiver
3. first-person singular present subjunctive of inactiver
4. third-person singular present subjunctive of inactiver
5. second-person singular imperative of inactiver

Adjective

inactive

1. feminine singular of inactif

Latin

Adjective

in?ct?ve

1. vocative masculine singular of in?ct?vus

Portuguese

Verb

inactive

1. first-person singular present subjunctive of inactivar
2. third-person singular present subjunctive of inactivar
3. first-person singular imperative of inactivar
4. third-person singular imperative of inactivar

Spanish

Verb

inactive

1. First-person singular (yo) present subjunctive form of inactivar.
2. Formal second-person singular (usted) present subjunctive form of inactivar.
3. Third-person singular (él, ella, also used with usted^?) present subjunctive form of inactivar.
4. Formal second-person singular (usted) imperative form of inactivar.