Word
immobilized
Phoneticsim·mo·bi·lized, stress on the second syllable
/ˌɪˈmoʊbəˌɫaɪzd/
UK spelling · immobilised
Definition
adj. unable to move, often because of an injury or because something holds you in place.
adj. unable to move or be moved; held fixed in place by injury, mechanical failure, or medical restraint. Often follows a linking verb or appears before nouns describing limbs, joints, or vehicles.
Examples
“The cast keeps his leg immobilized for weeks.”
“After the fall, her wrist was immobilized in a brace for a month to let the bone heal.”
“The snowstorm left the whole city immobilized, with trains cancelled, roads blocked, and thousands of travellers stranded overnight.”
Examples
simple
“The cast keeps his leg immobilized for weeks.”
contextual
“After the fall, her wrist was immobilized in a brace for a month to let the bone heal.”
complex
“The snowstorm left the whole city immobilized, with trains cancelled, roads blocked, and thousands of travellers stranded overnight.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “immobilized” in context.
Verb
01. immobilized by injury
“The striker was immobilized by injury just before the final.”
adj + prep + noun
02. immobilized by snow
“Mountain villages were immobilized by snow after the blizzard.”
adj + prep + noun
03. immobilized in traffic
“We were immobilized in traffic for over an hour.”
adj + prep + noun
04. immobilized with fear
“She stood immobilized with fear as the alarm sounded.”
adj + prep + noun
05. keep immobilized
“Doctors kept her arm immobilized to allow the fracture to heal.”
verb + adj
06. leave immobilized
“The accident left him immobilized for nearly two months.”
verb + adj
Adjective
07. completely immobilized
“After the crash, his left leg was completely immobilized in a cast.”
adv + adj
08. effectively immobilized
“The strike left public transport effectively immobilized for days.”
adv + adj
Noun
09. immobilized limb
“Physiotherapy began once the immobilized limb was freed from the brace.”
adj + noun
10. immobilized patient
“Nurses turned the immobilized patient regularly to prevent sores.”
adj + noun
11. immobilized vehicle
“Police towed the immobilized vehicle from the motorway.”
adj + noun
12. left completely immobilized by injury
“The defender was left completely immobilized by injury late in the match.”
Usage
Typically follows 'be' or 'remain', or placed before nouns like 'limb' or 'vehicle' to describe something fixed in place.
Real-World Examples
“The IRGC also claimed that while one tanker tried to cross the waterway “with US support”, the second vessel was left immobilised.” “He pulled out of this week’s Madrid Open and attended the Laureus World Sports Awards in the Spanish capital on Monday with his wrist immobilized.” “BEIJING (AP) — After concluding her interview, Brianna Decker positioned her immobilized left leg on her scooter’s seat, grasped the handlebars, and propelled herself out of the room using her right foot.” “French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday that an oil tanker immobilized off the French Atlantic coast had committed “very serious wrongdoings” and linked it to Russia’s shadow fleet, which is avoiding Western sanctions over Moscow’s war in Ukraine.” Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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