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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Dormant: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：inactive or sleeping (dormant)

dormant 🔊

/ˈdɔːrmənt/

adj.

not active or growing now, like when an animal sleeps through winter or a plant rests in the cold season.

Dormant meaning illustrated by a hibernating bear sleeping peacefully in a cave.

inactive or sleeping 🔊

➕

/ɪnˈæktɪv ɔːr ˈsliːpɪŋ/

adj.

Describing a state where something is temporarily not active or growing, often in a restful condition similar to hibernation.

📁 Category：Animal Protection 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'dormire' meaning 'to sleep', with suffix '-ant' indicating state.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a dorm where students sleep; dormant means in a sleeping or inactive state.

📖 Example

During the long, cold winter, the bear becomes dormant and sleeps in its den to save energy. 🔊 During the long, cold winter, the bear becomes dormant and sleeps in its den to save energy.

🔗 Collocations

dormant volcano – a volcano that is not currently erupting but may become active again

dormant period – a time when something is inactive or not growing

dormant state – the condition of being temporarily inactive

🔄 Synonyms

inactive (adj.) – not active or functioning

quiescent (adj.) – in a state of inactivity or dormancy

torpid (adj.) – sluggish or dormant, especially in cold weather

🚫 Antonyms

active (adj.) – engaged in action or function

awake (adj.) – not sleeping; alert

🌱 Derivatives

dormancy (n.) – the state of being dormant

dormantly (adv.) – in a dormant manner

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'dormire' (to sleep). Commonly used in contexts like dormant volcanoes or dormant bank accounts to denote inactivity.

Meaning 2：not in use (dormant)

dormant 🔊

/ˈdɔːrmənt/

adj.

not used or developed now, but kept safe to use again in the future, like an old account or a paused plan.

Dormant concept shown by a grayed-out, unused app icon on a smartphone screen.

not in use 🔊

➕

/nɒt ɪn juːs/

adj.

Referring to something that is currently unused or not operational but is maintained for potential future activation.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

I haven't used that social media app for years, so my account is completely dormant now. 🔊 I haven't used that social media app for years, so my account is completely dormant now.

🔗 Collocations

dormant account – a bank or online account that has had no activity for a long time

dormant file – a computer file that is not currently accessed or used

dormant project – a plan or initiative that is temporarily inactive

🔄 Synonyms

unused (adj.) – not being used or employed

idle (adj.) – not active or in use

inactive (adj.) – not engaging in activity

🚫 Antonyms

active (adj.) – currently in use or operation

operational (adj.) – functioning and ready for use

🌱 Derivatives

dormancy (n.) – the state of being dormant

dormantly (adv.) – in a dormant manner