immobile

1 of 2

adjective

im·​mo·​bile (ˌ)i(m)-ˈmō-bəl How to pronounce immobile (audio)
-ˌbī(-ə)l
also -ˌbēl
Synonyms of immobilenext
1
: not moving : motionless
keep the patient immobile
2
: incapable of moving or being moved
was left immobile by the tranquilizer
immobility
ˌi-(ˌ)mō-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce immobile (audio)
noun

immobility

2 of 2

noun

im·​mobility ¦i(m)+ How to pronounce immobility (audio)
: the quality or state of being immobile : fixedness
broadly : motionlessness

Synonyms of immobile

Relevance

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of immobile in a Sentence

Adjective The tranquilizer made the animal immobile. The accident left her immobile.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Scales are immobile for much of their life, appearing as small tan to gray bumps. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 June 2026 More often than not, a towel was used to cover his immobile hand. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 June 2026 This left the vessel listing and immobile, as social media video of the boat shows. — Pau Mosquera, CNN Money, 12 May 2026 The question then becomes whether the immobile Goldin would stand as such an alternative. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for immobile

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English in-mobill, from Latin immobilis, from in- + mobilis mobile

Noun

Middle French immobilité, from Late Latin immobilitat-, immobilitas, from Latin immobilis + -itat-, -itas -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of immobile was in the 14th century

Rhymes for immobile

See All Rhymes for immobile

Browse Nearby Words

immixture
immobile
immobilism
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Immobile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immobile. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

immobile

adjective
im·​mo·​bile (ˈ)im-ˈ(m)ō-bəl How to pronounce immobile (audio)
-ˌbēl, 
-ˌbīl
: unable to move or be moved
immobility
ˌim-(ˌ)ō-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce immobile (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

immobile

adjective
im·​mo·​bile (ˈ)im-ˈ(m)ō-bəl How to pronounce immobile (audio) -ˌbēl How to pronounce immobile (audio) -ˌbīl How to pronounce immobile (audio)
1
: incapable of being moved
2
: not moving
keep the patient immobile
immobility
ˌim-(ˌ)ō-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce immobile (audio)
noun
plural immobilities

More from Merriam-Webster on immobile

Nglish: Translation of immobile for Spanish Speakers

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