motility
4 synonyms and 1 antonym for motility, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The ability of a cell or organism to move by itself, most often used of sperm.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use motility
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sperm motility
progressive motility
gut motility
reduced motility
Technical — medicine, fertility testing and biology.
Etymology
From Latin motus, past participle of movere 'to move', via motile.
Full origin of motility →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between motility and mobility?
Motility is the capacity to move spontaneously using one's own energy, which is why it applies to cells, bacteria and organs. Mobility is the more general ability to be moved or to get about, and it does not imply self-generated movement.
What counts as normal sperm motility?
Laboratories typically look for at least 40 per cent of sperm moving at all, and around 30 per cent showing progressive motility — swimming forwards rather than twitching in place. Exact reference values vary between labs and guidelines, so results should be read against the report's own ranges.
