dormant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dormant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is inactive or in a state of rest, often referring to plants, volcanoes, or even ideas and projects that are not currently active. Example: "The volcano has been dormant for centuries, but scientists warn it could erupt again at any time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

India's latest flirtation with football is not even three months old and it appears the Indian Super League has managed to forge new passions for the sport, as well as rejuvenate dormant ones among the country's sporting fans.

The Guardian

Deep below the once purple but now wintering and dormant fields of Provençal lavender, something is rotten.

The Guardian

When 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was gunned down three years ago this week in Sanford, Florida, his tragic death breathed life into a dormant civil rights movement.

The Guardian

After a long Google, I still don't fully understand the Order of the Bath, though I've learned it is less "illustrious" than the Order of the Garter, the Order of the Thistle and the Most Illustrious Order of St Patrick (dormant).

The Guardian - Opinion

We're talking about the dormant tradition of the confessional singer-songwriter in the pop charts, with Clarkson interspersing her thoughts with references to her "really rough upbringing".

The Guardian - Music

Last October a roadside bomb killed Sunil Pandey, a landowner who was alleged to be a senior figure in a militia formed in 1994 to enforce the interests of higher castes in the state, but which has been largely dormant recently.

The Guardian

It stimulates a usually dormant pathway between the hypothalamus and the immune system.

The Guardian

From the Four Courts, which the anti-treaty republican forces occupied during the civil war of the early 1920s to the curved elegant Ha'penny Bridge connecting either side of the river there are boarded up empty pubs, closed hotels lying dormant for years, abandoned shops and businesses along this historic route.

The Guardian

Some of these contracts were signed relatively recently, while others, such as Repsol's and Petrobras's concessions in Madidi, date back to 2007 but were effectively blocked by opposition and have lain "dormant for various years".

The Guardian

Becoming dormant means you live to fight another day.

The Economist

Moreover, those carrying dormant vivax parasites in this way cannot be identified, which means there is a huge reservoir of infected people who are in effect invisible.That is not a bad strategy for a pathogen.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dormant" to describe something that is temporarily inactive but has the potential to become active again. For instance, a "dormant" volcano or a "dormant" skill.

Common error

Avoid using "dormant" to describe something that has permanently ceased to exist or function. "Dormant" implies a possibility of revival, unlike "extinct", which means gone forever.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "dormant" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe a state of inactivity or suspension, as shown in Ludwig examples like "dormant fields" or "dormant accounts".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "dormant" is an adjective that describes something inactive but with the potential to become active again. According to Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English. It appears frequently in "News & Media", "Formal & Business", and "Science" contexts. While synonyms like "inactive" and "latent" exist, "dormant" uniquely implies a temporary state of inactivity. Remember to avoid using it to describe something permanently extinct. Overall, "dormant" is a versatile word suitable for various contexts to indicate potential for future activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inactive

Direct synonym, implies a state of not being active or operational.

latent

Suggests potential for activity but currently hidden or undeveloped.

quiescent

Indicates a state of quietness or inactivity.

suspended

Implies a temporary halt in activity.

inoperative

Not functioning or being in effect.

sleeping

Metaphorical use to mean inactive or not currently in use.

abeyant

Temporarily inactive, suspended, or set aside.

static

Showing little or no change, action, or progress.

unutilized

Not put to use.

underdeveloped

Not yet fully grown or developed.

FAQs

How can I use "dormant" in a sentence?

You can use "dormant" to describe something inactive but potentially active in the future, such as "The volcano has been dormant for centuries" or "The project remained dormant until funding was secured".

What are some alternatives to "dormant"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "inactive", "latent", or "quiescent".

Is it correct to say a person is "dormant"?

While less common, it is acceptable to describe a person's skill or interest as "dormant" if it's not currently being used but could be revived. For example, "His musical talent had been dormant for years".

What's the difference between "dormant" and "latent"?

"Dormant" suggests a temporary state of inactivity, while "latent" implies the potential for something to emerge or become active. Something "dormant" was once active; something "latent" may never have been active before.