in|ef|fi|cient / I n I f I ʃ ə nt/ ADJ Inefficient people, organizations, systems, or machines do not use time, energy, or other resources in the best way. □ Their communication systems are inefficient in the extreme. ● in|ef|fi|cien|cy (inefficiencies ) N‑VAR □ [+ of ] …the inefficiency of the distribution system. ● in|ef|fi|cient|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ Energy prices have been kept low, so energy is used inefficiently.
in|el|egant / I ne l I gənt/ ADJ If you say that something is inelegant , you mean that it is not attractive or graceful. □ The grand piano has been replaced with a small, inelegant electric model.
in|eli|gible / I ne l I dʒəb ə l/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ , ADJ to-inf] If you are ineligible for something, you are not qualified for it or entitled to it. [FORMAL ] □ They were ineligible to remain in the U.S.A.
in|eluc|table / I n I lʌ ktəb ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use ineluctable to describe something that cannot be stopped, escaped, or ignored. [FORMAL ] □ …Malthus's theories about the ineluctable tendency of populations to exceed resources.
in|ept / I ne pt/ ADJ If you say that someone is inept , you are criticizing them because they do something with a complete lack of skill. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ He was inept and lacked the intelligence to govern.
in|epti|tude / I ne pt I tjuːd, [AM ] -tuːd/ N‑UNCOUNT If you refer to someone's ineptitude , you are criticizing them because they do something with a complete lack of skill. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] …the tactical ineptitude of the allied commander.
in|equal|ity / I n I kwɒ l I ti/ (inequalities ) N‑VAR Inequality is the difference in social status, wealth, or opportunity between people or groups. □ People are concerned about social inequality.
in|equi|table / I ne kw I təb ə l/ ADJ If you say that something is inequitable , you are criticizing it because it is unfair or unjust. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ The welfare system is grossly inequitable and inefficient.
in|equi|ty / I ne kw I ti/ (inequities ) N‑VAR If you refer to the inequity of something, you are criticizing it because it is unfair or unjust. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ of ] Social imbalance worries him more than inequity of income.
in|eradi|cable / I n I ræ d I kəb ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use ineradicable to emphasize that a quality, fact, or situation is permanent and cannot be changed. [FORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ Divorce is a permanent, ineradicable fact of modern life.
in|ert / I nɜː r t/
1 ADJ Someone or something that is inert does not move at all. □ He covered the inert body with a blanket.
2 ADJ If you describe something as inert , you are criticizing it because it is not very lively or interesting. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ The novel itself remains oddly inert.
3 ADJ An inert substance is one which does not react with other substances. [TECHNICAL ] □ …inert gases like neon and argon.
in|er|tia / I nɜː r ʃə/
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you have a feeling of inertia , you feel very lazy and unwilling to move or be active. □ …her inertia, her lack of energy.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Inertia is the tendency of a physical object to remain still or to continue moving, unless a force is applied to it. [TECHNICAL ]
in|es|cap|able / I n I ske I pəb ə l/ ADJ If you describe a fact, situation, or activity as inescapable , you mean that it is difficult not to notice it or be affected by it. □ The economic logic of reform is inescapable. ● in|es|cap|ably / I n I ske I pəbli/ ADV □ It is inescapably clear that they won't turn round.
in|es|sen|tial / I n I se nʃ ə l/ ADJ If something is inessential , you do not need it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ to ] We have omitted footnotes which we judged inessential to the text.
in|es|ti|mable / I ne st I məb ə l/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe the value, benefit, or importance of something as inestimable , you mean that it is extremely great and cannot be calculated. [FORMAL ] □ Human life is of inestimable value.
in|evi|tabil|ity / I ne v I təb I l I ti/ (inevitabilities ) N‑VAR The inevitability of something is the fact that it is certain to happen and cannot be prevented or avoided. □ [+ of ] We are all bound by the inevitability of death.
in|evi|table ◆◇◇ / I ne v I təb ə l/ ADJ If something is inevitable , it is certain to happen and cannot be prevented or avoided. □ If the case succeeds, it is inevitable that other trials will follow. □ The defeat had inevitable consequences for British policy. ● N‑SING The inevitable is something which is inevitable. □ 'It's just delaying the inevitable,' he said. SYNONYMS inevitable ADJ
unavoidable: Managers said the job losses were unavoidable.
inescapable: The economic logic of reform is inescapable.
certain: Victory looked certain.
inexorable: …the seemingly inexorable rise in unemployment.
in|evi|tably / I ne v I təbli/ ADV [usu ADV with v, ADV adj] If something will inevitably happen, it is certain to happen and cannot be prevented or avoided. □ Technological changes will inevitably lead to unemployment.
in|ex|act / I n I gzæ kt/ ADJ Something that is inexact is not precise or accurate. □ Forecasting was an inexact science.
in|ex|cus|able / I n I kskjuː zəb ə l/ ADJ If you say that something is inexcusable , you are emphasizing that it cannot be justified or tolerated because it is extremely bad. [EMPHASIS ] □ He said the killing of innocent people was inexcusable. ● in|ex|cus|ably / I n I kskjuː zəbli/ ADV □ She had been inexcusably careless.