inactive

Compared meaning: not active, not working (adjective).

比较义项：不活跃的／闲置的（形容词）。

• dead

  Dead describes something completely without power or function, usually implying it has stopped working entirely, not just paused; common with batteries, phones, and electronic devices.

  dead强调某物完全失去电力或功能，通常表示彻底停止运作而非暂时暂停，常用于电池、手机等电子设备。

  The old phone battery is completely dead and won't charge.

  这块旧手机电池已经完全没电了，充不进去。

• idle

  Idle describes a machine, engine, or system that is currently not running or engaged, but is capable of starting again soon; often implies a temporary pause during use.

  idle表示机器、引擎或系统目前没有运转或投入使用，但随时能够重新启动，通常指使用过程中的暂时停顿。

  The car engine was idle while we waited at the light.

  我们在等红灯时，汽车引擎处于闲置状态。

• inactive 本词

  Inactive describes something like an account, membership, or system that has not been used or has not operated for a period of time; neutral in tone, emphasizing duration rather than power state.

  inactive表示账户、会员资格或系统在一段时间内未被使用或未运作，语气中性，强调“未使用的时长”而非动力状态。

  His social media account has been inactive for almost a year.

  他的社交媒体账户已经闲置将近一年了。

All three describe something not active. Dead means completely without power, usually stopped entirely, common with batteries. Idle describes a machine not currently running, but able to start again soon. Inactive describes an account not used for a period of time, neutral in tone.

dead、idle和inactive在“不活跃的／闲置的”这一义项上意思相近，但语气强弱和使用场合不同：dead语气最强，强调彻底失去功能；idle强调暂时停止运转，随时可恢复；inactive语气中性，强调一段时间未被使用。这里不比较dead的“已死的，无生命的”义，也不比较idle的“懒散的，无所事事的”义。