immobile

adjective

im·​mo·​bile (ˌ)i(m)-ˈmō-bəl 

-ˌbī(-ə)l

also -ˌbēl

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 

noun

Synonyms of immobile

• motionless
• static
• stationary
• standing

Examples of immobile in a Sentence

The tranquilizer made the animal immobile.

The accident left her immobile.

Recent Examples on the Web

The highly effective treatment involves sterilizing screwworm pupae -- the immobile stage of the screwworm before metamorphosis -- by exposing them to gamma radiation and then releasing them into the wild to mate with fertile females. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 11 June 2026

Scales are immobile for much of their life, appearing as small tan to gray bumps. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 June 2026

Soon, the cold water and the beach itself fill with people, everyone immobile and sore but deeply satisfied. —E.r. Pulgar, SPIN, 10 June 2026

More often than not, a towel was used to cover his immobile hand. —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for immobile

• ennoble
• ignoble
• coble
• dobell
• global
• lobel
• noble
• sobol

Kids Definition

immobile

adjective

im·​mo·​bile (ˈ)im-ˈ(m)ō-bəl 

-ˌbēl, 

-ˌbīl

: unable to move or be moved

immobility

ˌim-(ˌ)ō-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

Medical Definition

immobile

adjective

im·​mo·​bile (ˈ)im-ˈ(m)ō-bəl  -ˌbēl  -ˌbīl 

1

: incapable of being moved

2

: not moving

keep the patient immobile

immobility

ˌim-(ˌ)ō-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

plural immobilities