Words / B2

DORM-uh-nt/ˈdɔːmənt/

Dormant means inactive now but able to start again: a dormant volcano; a dormant account; dormant genes. Inactive is wider; extinct (separate headword) means gone for good, of species or volcanoes. The volcano was dormant, not extinct. Do not call a demolished factory dormant.

Meaning

Not active now, but able to become active later.

Examples

• “The volcano was classed as dormant, not extinct, after the survey.”
• “A dormant company still exists on paper, which is the Companies House sense.”

Good to know

a dormant volcano / account / cell. Opposite: active. Species/volcanoes: extinct = gone. Finance: a dormant account. Science and business pages.

Near in meaning

inactive

New