# immobility

/ˌɪmoʊˈbɪɫɪti/ (US) · /ɪmˌəʊbˈɪlɪti/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/immobility
Updated: 2026-10-07

## Definition

the state of not being able to move or being kept still. You use this word when talking about someone who cannot move their body or something that is fixed in place.

For teachers: the state or condition of being unable to move or be moved. Often used in medical or technical contexts to describe physical paralysis or the lack of social or economic movement.

## Examples

- The doctor warned that long periods of immobility can cause health problems.
- After the surgery, the patient suffered from temporary immobility in his left leg while the muscles healed.
- The sudden immobility of the markets during the crisis left many investors unable to liquidate their assets before the prices plummeted further.

## Synonyms

stillness, motionlessness, fixedness

## Antonyms

mobility, movement, motion

## Usage notes

- Typically used as an uncountable abstract noun; when used in a medical context, it often follows prepositions like 'of' or 'from'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.