What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sedentary
Example
My job is very sedentary, I sit at my desk for hours on end. [sedentary: adjective]
Example
A sedentary lifestyle can lead to health problems like obesity and heart disease. [sedentary: noun]
inactive
Example
I've been feeling very inactive lately, I need to start exercising more. [inactive: adjective]
Example
The volcano has been inactive for years, but scientists are monitoring it closely. [inactive: adjective]
Example
The inactive account was deleted due to inactivity. [inactive: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sedentary is more commonly used than inactive in everyday language, especially in the context of describing a lifestyle or job that involves prolonged sitting. Inactive is less common and is often used in medical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sedentary and inactive?
Both sedentary and inactive are relatively formal words, but sedentary may be more commonly used in everyday language and has a slightly more negative connotation.
