2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone feels inadequate , they feel that they do not have the qualities and abilities necessary to do something or to cope with life in general. □ I still feel inadequate, useless and mixed up.
in|ad|mis|si|ble / I nədm I s I b ə l/
1 ADJ Inadmissible evidence cannot be used in a court of law. □ The judge ruled that the evidence was inadmissible.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that something that someone says or does is inadmissible , you think that it is totally unacceptable. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He said the use of force would be inadmissible.
in|ad|vert|ent / I nədvɜː r tənt/ ADJ An inadvertent action is one that you do without realizing what you are doing. □ The government has said it was an inadvertent error. ● in|ad|vert|ent|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ I inadvertently pressed the wrong button.
in|ad|vis|able / I nədva I zəb ə l/ ADJ A course of action that is inadvisable should not be carried out because it is not wise or sensible. □ For three days, it was inadvisable to leave the harbour.
in|al|ien|able / I ne I ljənəb ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you say that someone has an inalienable right to something, you are emphasizing that they have a right to it which cannot be changed or taken away. [FORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ He said the republic now had an inalienable right to self-determination.
in|ane / I ne I n/ ADJ If you describe someone's behaviour or actions as inane , you think they are very silly or stupid. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He always had this inane grin. ● in|ane|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ He lurched through the bar, grinning inanely. ● in|an|ity / I næ n I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the inanity of the conversation.
in|ani|mate / I næ n I mət/ ADJ An inanimate object is one that has no life. □ He thought of the baby almost as an inanimate object.
in|ap|pli|cable / I nəpl I kəb ə l, [AM ] I næ pl I k-/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] Something that is inapplicable to what you are talking about is not relevant or appropriate to it. □ [+ to ] His theory was inapplicable to many underdeveloped economies.
in|ap|pro|pri|ate / I nəproʊ priət/
1 ADJ Something that is inappropriate is not useful or suitable for a particular situation or purpose. □ There is no suggestion that clients have been sold inappropriate policies. ● in|ap|pro|pri|ate|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ [+ for ] He was dressed inappropriately for the heat in a dark suit.
2 ADJ If you say that someone's speech or behaviour in a particular situation is inappropriate , you are criticizing it because you think it is not suitable for that situation. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ for ] I feel the remark was inappropriate for such a serious issue. ● in|ap|pro|pri|ate|ly ADV [ADV with v, ADV adj] □ You have the law on your side if the bank is acting inappropriately.
in|ar|ticu|late / I nɑː r t I kjʊlət/ ADJ If someone is inarticulate , they are unable to express themselves easily or well in speech. □ Inarticulate and rather shy, he had always dreaded speaking in public.
in|as|much as / I nəzmʌ tʃ əz/ PHRASE You use inasmuch as to introduce a statement which explains something you have just said, and adds to it. [FORMAL ] □ This was a good decision inasmuch as it worked for you.
in|at|ten|tion / I nəte nʃ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT A person's inattention is their lack of attention. □ Vital evidence had been lost through a moment's inattention.
in|at|ten|tive / I nəte nt I v/ ADJ Someone who is inattentive is not paying complete attention to a person or thing, which often causes an accident or problems.
in|audible / I nɔː d I b ə l/ ADJ If a sound is inaudible , you are unable to hear it. □ His voice was almost inaudible.
in|augu|ral / I nɔː gjʊrəl/ ADJ [ADJ n] An inaugural meeting or speech is the first meeting of a new organization or the first speech by the new leader of an organization or a country. □ In his inaugural address, the President appealed for unity.
in|augu|rate / I nɔː gjʊre I t/ (inaugurates , inaugurating , inaugurated )
1 VERB [usu passive] When a new leader is inaugurated , they are formally given their new position at an official ceremony. □ [be V -ed] The new President will be inaugurated on January 20. ● in|augu|ra|tion / I nɔː gjʊre I ʃ ə n/ (inaugurations ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] …the inauguration of the new Governor.
2 VERB [usu passive] When a new building or institution is inaugurated , it is declared open in a formal ceremony. □ [be V -ed] A new Tibetan Centre was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama. ● in|augu|ra|tion N‑COUNT □ [+ of ] They later attended the inauguration of the University.
3 VERB If you inaugurate a new system or service, you start it. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Pan Am inaugurated the first scheduled international flight.
in|aus|pi|cious / I nɔːsp I ʃəs/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An inauspicious event is one that gives signs that success is unlikely. [FORMAL ] □ The meeting got off to an inauspicious start when he was late.
in|authen|tic / I nɔːθe nt I k/ ADJ Something that is inauthentic is false or copied, often in a way that does not follow tradition. □ …an inauthentic but tasty paella recipe.
in|board / I nbɔː r d/ ADJ [ADJ n] An inboard motor or engine is inside a boat rather than attached to the outside.
in|born / I nbɔː r n/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] Inborn qualities are natural ones which you are born with. □ He had an inborn talent for languages.