mobile
MOH-byl
Mobile (adj) means Able to move or be moved easily, rather than staying fixed in one place. Example: “A mobile library visits our village every week with books for everyone.”
adj
1
Able to move or be moved easily, rather than staying fixed in one place.
"A mobile library visits our village every week with books for everyone."
"After surgery, he was slowly able to become mobile again."
"The clinic uses a mobile unit to reach remote villages."
2
Relating to mobile phones or portable devices.
"Make sure the website works well on mobile devices as well as laptops."
"She downloaded a mobile app to track her daily walks."
"The bank added mobile banking so customers could check balances on the go."
noun
1
A mobile phone (chiefly British English).
"Can you ring me on my mobile when the train arrives?"
"His mobile buzzed on the table in the middle of dinner."
"She left her mobile at home by mistake."
How to use mobile
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAble to move around freely, or (as a noun) a mobile phone.
UK vs US
British English commonly says "mobile" for a phone, where American English usually says "cell" or "cell phone."
Common pairings
mobile phone
mobile app
stay mobile
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like mobile.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more mobile
- Superlative
- most mobile
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ library visits our village every week with books for everyone.
Etymology
From Old French, from Latin "mobilis," meaning "easy to move," from "movere" ("to move").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
immobile
stabile
Related words
Rhymes for mobile
See all rhymes for mobile →Frequently asked questions
What does “mobile” mean?
The word “mobile” means able to move or be moved easily, rather than staying fixed in one place. In plain terms, able to move around freely, or (as a noun) a mobile phone.
How do you pronounce “mobile”?
“Mobile” is pronounced MOH-byl (/ˈmoʊ.bəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “mobile” in a sentence?
Here is “mobile” used in a sentence: “After surgery, he was slowly able to become mobile again.”
What part of speech is “mobile”?
Depending on how it is used, “mobile” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “mobile” come from?
The word “mobile” comes from Latin. From Old French, from Latin "mobilis," meaning "easy to move," from "movere" ("to move").
Is “mobile” a common word?
“Mobile” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “mobile” have?
“Mobile” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: able to move or be moved easily, rather than staying fixed in one place.
What is the difference between 'mobile' and 'portable'?
Both describe something not fixed in place, but the emphasis differs. 'Mobile' means able to move or be moved, sometimes under its own power — a mobile unit travels around. 'Portable' specifically means light enough to be carried by hand. A portable device is always mobile, but not everything mobile is portable.
What is the opposite of 'mobile'?
The main opposites are 'immobile,' 'fixed,' and 'stationary,' all describing something that cannot move or must stay in one place. In a medical sense, a patient who cannot move freely may be described as immobile. The right opposite depends on whether you mean unable to move or simply not moving.
Why is a mobile phone called 'mobile'?
Because it can be carried and used almost anywhere, unlike a traditional landline fixed to one spot. The word captures the whole point of the device: freedom of movement. In American English it is usually called a 'cell phone,' while 'mobile' is the standard term in Britain and much of the world.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include mobile:
