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Synonyms

immobile

American  
[ih-moh-buhl, -beel] / ɪˈmoʊ bəl, -bil /

adjective

  1. incapable of moving or being moved.

  2. not mobile or moving; motionless.


immobile British  
/ ɪˈməʊbaɪl, ˌɪməʊˈbɪlɪtɪ /

adjective

  1. not moving; motionless

  2. not able to move or be moved; fixed

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of immobile

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English word from Latin word immōbilis. See im- 2, mobile

Explanation

Something immobile can't move or be moved — it's locked or stuck in place. If you know that mobile things move around, then you're halfway to understanding what immobile means: this refers to anything that can't move. A mountain is immobile; no one's moving that. Sometimes people who are very large — like offensive lineman — are described as immobile, because they are big and hard to move. When something is immobile, it's not going anywhere.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing immobile

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ciro Immobile, four times Serie A top scorer, could make a worthy pitch.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

Ciro Immobile scored the winning penalty for Bologna in front of a sparse crowd in Saudi Arabia, setting up a final showdown with Serie A champions Napoli on Monday.

From Barron's • Dec. 19, 2025

Immobile La3+ bonded to F ion inhibits the Li-ion conduction by blocking the conduction path and vanishing the surrounding metastable positions.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2024

Ciro Immobile equalised for Italy with a penalty after Spain debutant Robin le Normand handled in the box.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2023

Immobile with astonishment and fear, she stood pointing out and away, to westward, toward the Hudson.

From Darkness and Dawn by England, George Allan