Immobile: meaning, definitions and examples

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immobile

[ɪˈmoʊbəl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

unable to move

Not able to move physically; motionless.

Synonyms

fixed, motionless, stationary.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
immobile	Use this when something is incapable of moving or being moved. Typically implies a state that cannot change easily. After the accident, her legs were immobile. The furniture was so heavy it was almost immobile.
motionless	Best used when describing something that is presently not moving, often referring to a temporary state. The deer stood motionless, listening for predators. She remained motionless during the entire speech.
fixed	Suitably used when referring to something that is securely positioned and not meant to move. Often used in mechanical or technical contexts. The mirror is fixed to the wall. He stared at the fixed point on the horizon.
stationary	Appropriate for describing something that remains in one place and does not move. Often used in everyday contexts. The car remained stationary at the traffic light. He always kept his bike stationary in the garage.

Examples of usage

He was injured and immobilized in bed for weeks.
The immobile patient had to be carried to the ambulance.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

transportation

A vehicle that is used as a permanent residence or workplace rather than for transportation.

Synonyms

camper van, recreational vehicle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
immobile	Use 'immobile' to describe something that cannot move or is not moving. This is often used in medical or technical contexts. After the accident, his leg was completely immobile. The old car remained immobile in the driveway, unable to start.
recreational vehicle	Use 'recreational vehicle' (often abbreviated as RV) in a general context to describe any motor vehicle or trailer that includes living quarters designed for accommodation. This term is commonly used in discussions about travel, vacations, and lifestyle choices. They travel the country in their recreational vehicle. The recreational vehicle was parked at the campsite, ready for the weekend.
camper van	Use 'camper van' to refer to a vehicle that is equipped for camping and living in. This is commonly used when talking about road trips or outdoor adventures. They bought a camper van for their cross-country journey. The camper van had a small kitchen and sleeping area inside.

Word

Description / Examples

immobile

Use 'immobile' to describe something that cannot move or is not moving. This is often used in medical or technical contexts.

After the accident, his leg was completely immobile.
The old car remained immobile in the driveway, unable to start.

recreational vehicle

Use 'recreational vehicle' (often abbreviated as RV) in a general context to describe any motor vehicle or trailer that includes living quarters designed for accommodation. This term is commonly used in discussions about travel, vacations, and lifestyle choices.

They travel the country in their recreational vehicle.
The recreational vehicle was parked at the campsite, ready for the weekend.

camper van

Use 'camper van' to refer to a vehicle that is equipped for camping and living in. This is commonly used when talking about road trips or outdoor adventures.

They bought a camper van for their cross-country journey.
The camper van had a small kitchen and sleeping area inside.

Examples of usage

The RV is equipped with all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay.
Many people choose to live in an immobile like a tiny house on wheels.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Latin 'immobilis', meaning 'not able to move'.
The prefix 'im-' means 'not', and '-mobile' comes from 'mobilis', which means 'able to move'.
This word has been used in English since the early 1600s to describe something fixed or unchanging.

Psychology

In psychology, feelings of immobility may relate to anxiety, where individuals feel unable to act or respond to situations.
Physical immobility in humans can result from fear or trauma, leading to a state of freeze in stressful situations.
Research shows that prolonged immobility can affect mental health, causing feelings of stagnation or helplessness.

Science

In physics, immobility can refer to objects at rest, according to Newton's first law of motion, which states that objects stay at rest unless acted on by an external force.
In wildlife conservation, immobile species, like certain corals, are crucial for ecosystem stability, as they provide habitat for other organisms.
Robotic technology often creates immobile robots for tasks where movement would be unnecessary or unsafe.

Pop Culture

Films often depict dramatic scenes of immobility, such as characters frozen in fear or facing a life-changing moment.
In gaming, players might use immobile characters as strategic pieces on a chessboard, representing strength in stillness.
Artwork focusing on immobility can convey powerful emotions, capturing the essence of a moment in time where nothing changes.

Literature

In literature, immobility often symbolizes emotional paralysis, where characters cannot move forward in life.
Many poets use the concept of immobility to explore themes of longing and the desire for change while feeling stuck.
The portrayal of immobile landscapes in novels can evoke feelings of isolation or introspection for characters within the story.

Translations

Translations of the word "immobile" in other languages:

🇵🇹 imóvel

🇮🇳 अचल

🇩🇪 unbeweglich

🇮🇩 tidak bergerak

🇺🇦 нерухомий

🇵🇱 nieruchomy

🇯🇵 動かない

🇫🇷 immobile

🇪🇸 inmóvil

🇹🇷 hareketsiz

🇰🇷 움직이지 않는

🇸🇦 غير متحرك

🇨🇿 nepohyblivý

🇸🇰 nepohyblivý

🇨🇳 不动的

🇸🇮 nepremičen

🇮🇸 hreyfingarlaus

🇰🇿 қозғалмайтын

🇬🇪 უძრავი

🇦🇿 hərəkətsiz

🇲🇽 inmóvil

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,438, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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18435 avid
18436 drowsiness
18437 polygamy
18438 immobile
18439 vented
18440 transporter
18441 materialized
...