Entry 2 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913 Inanimate /ĭnˌ-ăn'-əm-ət/ · In·an·i·mate · IPA /ɪnˈænɪmət/ v. t. a. 01 v. t. To animate. 1. To animate.[Obs.] 02 a. Not animate; destitute of life or spirit; lifeless; dead; inactive; dull; as, stones and earth are inanimate substances. 1. Not animate; destitute of life or spirit; lifeless; dead; inactive; dull; as, stones and earth are inanimate substances. “Grieving, if aught inanimate e'er grieves.” — Byron. Syn. Lifeless; dead; inert; inactive; dull; soulless; spiritless. See Lifeless.