You use mobile to describe something large that can be moved easily from place to place.
...the four hundred seat mobile theatre.
Synonyms: movable, moving, travelling, wandering More Synonyms of mobile
2. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you are mobile, you can move or travel easily from place to place, for example because you do not have a physical disability or because you have your own transport.
I'm still very mobile.
Synonyms: active, lively, energetic, able to move More Synonyms of mobile
mobility (moʊbɪlɪti)uncountable noun
Two cars gave them the freedom and mobility to go their separate ways.
Synonyms: movement, climbing, progression, upward movement More Synonyms of mobile
Synonyms: ability to move, motility, movability, moveableness More Synonyms of mobile
3. adjective
In a mobile society, people move easily from one job, home, or social class to another.
Our mobile society forces many people to move away from family and friends.
...young, mobile professionals.
Synonyms: adaptable, flexible, versatile, transplantable More Synonyms of mobile
mobilityuncountable noun
Prior to the nineteenth century, there were almost no channels of social mobility.
Synonyms: movement, climbing, progression, upward movement More Synonyms of mobile
Synonyms: ability to move, motility, movability, moveableness More Synonyms of mobile
4. graded adjective
If someone has a mobile face, the expression on their face changes quickly as their feelings change.
Robyn had the more mobile, more expressive face.
5. countable noun
A mobile is a decoration which you hang from a ceiling. It usually consists of several small objects which move as the air around them moves.
6. countable noun
A mobile is the same as a mobile phone.
7. See also upwardly mobile
More Synonyms of mobile
mobile in British English
(ˈməʊbaɪl)
adjective
1.
having freedom of movement; movable
2.
changing quickly in expression
a mobile face
3. sociology
(of individuals or social groups) moving within and between classes, occupations, and localities
upwardly mobile
4.
(of military forces) able to move freely and quickly to any given area
5. (postpositive) informal
having transport available
are you mobile tonight?
noun
6.
a.
a sculpture suspended in midair with delicately balanced parts that are set in motion by air currents
b.
(as modifier)
mobile sculpture
Compare stabile
7. short for mobile phone
Word origin
C15: via Old French from Latin mōbilis, from movēre to move
Mobile in British English
(ˈməʊbiːl, məʊˈbiːl)
noun
a port in SW Alabama, on Mobile Bay (an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico): the state's only port and its first permanent settlement, made by French colonists in 1711. Pop: 193 464 (2003 est)
-mobile in British English
suffix forming nouns
indicating a vehicle designed for a particular person or purpose
Popemobile
Mobile in American English
(moʊˈbil; ˈmoʊˌbil)
1.
seaport in SW Ala., on Mobile Bay: pop. 199,000
2.
river in SW Ala., formed by the Alabama & Tombigbee rivers & flowing into Mobile Bay: c. 45 mi (72 km)
Word origin
< Fr < AmInd < ?
mobile in American English
(ˈmoʊbəl; ˈmoʊˌbaɪl; for 5 & n., ˈmoʊˌbil)
adjective
1.
a.
moving, or capable of moving or being moved, from place to place
b.
movable by means of a motor vehicle or vehicles
a mobile X-ray unit
2.
very fluid, as mercury
3.
capable of changing rapidly or easily, as in response to different moods, feelings, conditions, needs, or influences; flexible, adaptable, etc.
4.
a.
designating or of a society in which one may change in social status, and in which social groups mingle freely
b.
designating a person who is experiencing a change in social status
the upwardly mobile professional
5. Art
that is or has to do with a mobile or mobiles
noun
6.
a piece of abstract sculpture which aims to depict movement, i.e., kinetic rather than static rhythms, as by an arrangement of thin forms, rings, rods, etc. balanced and suspended in midair and set in motion by air currents
Derived forms
mobility (moˈbility) (moʊˈbɪləti)
noun
Word origin
OFr < L mobilis, movable < movere, to move
-mobile in American English
(moʊˈbil)
motorized vehicle designed for a (specified) purpose
bookmobile, snowmobile
Word origin
< automobile
-mobile in American English
suffix
a combining form extracted from automobile, occurring as the final element in compounds denoting specialized types of motorized conveyances (snowmobile); it is esp. productive in coinages naming vehicles equipped to procure or deliver objects, provide services, etc., to people without regular access to these (bloodmobile; bookmobile; clubmobile; jazzmobile)
Examples of 'mobile' in a sentence
mobile
But this is the first time a mobile has been used in such a dramatic escape.
The Sun (2016)
This is especially true on mobile networks where traffic shaping is used extensively to manage congestion.
Computing (2010)
He then obtained her mobile phone number and began to text her.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
What does looking at your mobile phone do to your brain?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
All routes out have been blocked and the use of mobile phones forbidden.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Data showed his mobile had moved a distance of 12 miles.
The Sun (2016)
The technology is there to do mobile payments, now it’s about getting it rolled out commercially.
Computing (2010)
WHY are lags able to get access to mobile phones in prison?
The Sun (2016)
She said that the extra powers being considered would be to deal with common offences including using a mobile telephone at the wheel and speeding.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
They now use mobiles to check the time.
The Sun (2011)
Other networks and mobiles will cost more.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The research also showed that young people use mobile phones more extensively than the wider population.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
News that the enemy army is on the move arrives by mobile phone.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They are banned from using mobile telephones or having access to the internet.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Paint your mobile number on it in outsize toxic yellow figures for good measure.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
But we are also mobile because civil society has taught us to be.
Christianity Today (2000)
People can still contact you by radio or mobile.
The Sun (2009)
You have to be in this day and age of social media and mobile phones.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Prices will go up for mobile connectivity and more storage.
The Sun (2014)
The mobile phone group is under pressure to sell assets before making new purchases.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Is it that his mother always phones his mobile at a certain time?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
He'd set his mobile to the torch setting.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Not getting a mobile signal is not much fun and neither is losing the Ashes.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
I found an old mobile phone of hers and it was charged up.
The Sun (2009)
Slowly, the animal opened his large, mobile lips and began making sounds.
Zindell, David The Broken God (1993)
To make the frame for the mobile tree to hang in, cut away part of the front of the card - used a lid to draw round.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Word lists with
mobile
Major ports of the world
In other languages
mobile
British English: mobile /ˈməʊbaɪl/ ADJECTIVE
Something or someone that is mobile is able to move or be moved easily.
He is now mobile thanks to an electric wheelchair.
American English: mobile
Arabic: مُتَحَرِكُ
Brazilian Portuguese: móbile
Chinese: 能活动的
Croatian: mobilan
Czech: mobilní
Danish: mobil
Dutch: mobieltje
European Spanish: móvil
Finnish: mobile children's
French: portable téléphone
German: Mobile
Greek: κινητό
Italian: cellulare telefono
Japanese: モビール
Korean: 모빌
Norwegian: mobil
Polish: telefon komórkowy
European Portuguese: móbile
Romanian: mobil
Russian: мобильный
Latin American Spanish: móvil
Swedish: mobiltelefon
Thai: เคลื่อนที่ได้
Turkish: taşınabilir
Ukrainian: мобільний
Vietnamese: di động
British English: mobile ADJECTIVE
You use mobile to describe something large that can be moved easily from place to place.
...special mobile units where men can have their fingerprints taken and donate a specimen of blood.
American English: mobile
Brazilian Portuguese: móvel
Chinese: 可移动的
European Spanish: móvil
French: mobile
German: mobil
Italian: mobile
Japanese: 移動式の
Korean: 이동식의
European Portuguese: móvel
Latin American Spanish: móvil
Chinese translation of 'mobile'
mobile
(ˈməubaɪl)
adj
[library, studio, office]流动(動)的 (liúdòng de)
[person]
(= having transport) 有私人的代步工具的 (yǒu sīrén de dàibù gōngjù de)
(= able to walk) 能活动(動)的 (néng huódòng de)
[workforce, population]流动(動)的 (liúdòng de)
n(c)
(Brit, inf, = mobile phone) 手机(機) (shǒujī) (部, bù)
(= decoration) 风(風)动(動)饰(飾)物 (fēngdòng shìwù)
1 (adjective)
Definition
able to move or be moved
a four-hundred-seat mobile theatre
Synonyms
movable
The wooden fence is movable
moving
the moving parts in the engine
travelling
troupes of travelling actors
wandering
a band of wandering musicians
portable
There was a portable television behind the bar.
locomotive
itinerant
the author's experiences as an itinerant musician
peripatetic
Her father was in the army and the family led a peripatetic existence.
ambulatory
motile
2 (adjective)
Definition
able to move or be moved
I'm still very mobile.
Synonyms
active
the tragedy of an active mind trapped by failing physical health
lively
She had a sweet, lively personality.
energetic
Two-year-olds can be incredibly energetic.
able to move
sprightly
the sprightly 85-year-old president
spry
a spry old lady
motile
ambulant
3 (adjective)
Definition
(of individuals or social groups) moving within and between classes, occupations, and localities
young, mobile professionals
Synonyms
adaptable
They are adaptable foragers that can survive on a wide range of foods.
flexible
flexible working hours
versatile
He stood out as one of the game's most versatile athletes.
transplantable
4 (adjective)
Definition
changing quickly in expression
She had a mobile, expressive face.
Synonyms
changeable
He was a man of changeable moods.
The forecast is for changeable weather.
meaning
She nodded and gave me a meaning look.
animated
expressive
She had a small, expressive face.
eloquent
Her only reply was an eloquent glance at the clock.
suggestive
ever-changing
Additional synonyms
in the sense of eloquent
Definition
visibly or vividly expressive
Her only reply was an eloquent glance at the clock.
Synonyms
expressive,
telling,
pointed,
revealing,
significant,
pregnant,
vivid,
meaningful,
indicative,
suggestive
in the sense of energetic
Definition
having or showing energy and enthusiasm
Two-year-olds can be incredibly energetic.
Synonyms
lively,
spirited,
active,
dynamic,
vigorous,
animated,
brisk,
tireless,
bouncy,
indefatigable,
alive and kicking,
zippy (informal),
full of beans (informal),
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (informal)
in the sense of expressive
Definition
of or full of expression
She had a small, expressive face.
Synonyms
vivid,
strong,
striking,
telling,
moving,
lively,
sympathetic,
energetic,
poignant,
emphatic,
eloquent,
forcible
Synonyms of 'mobile'
mobile
Explore 'mobile' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of flexible
Definition
adaptable to changing circumstances
flexible working hours
Synonyms
adaptable,
open,
variable,
adjustable,
discretionary
in the sense of itinerant
Definition
working for a short time in various places
the author's experiences as an itinerant musician
Synonyms
wandering,
travelling,
journeying,
unsettled,
roaming,
roving,
nomadic,
migratory,
vagrant,
peripatetic,
vagabond,
ambulatory,
wayfaring
in the sense of lively
Definition
vivacious or animated
She had a sweet, lively personality.
Synonyms
animated,
spirited,
quick,
keen,
active,
alert,
dynamic,
sparkling,
vigorous,
cheerful,
energetic,
outgoing,
merry,
upbeat (informal),
brisk,
bubbly,
nimble,
agile,
perky,
chirpy (informal),
sparky,
sprightly,
vivacious,
frisky,
gay (old-fashioned),
alive and kicking,
spry,
chipper (informal),
blithe,
full of beans (informal),
frolicsome,
full of pep (informal),
blithesome,
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
in the sense of meaning
She nodded and gave me a meaning look.
Synonyms
expressive,
meaningful,
pointed,
revealing,
significant,
speaking,
pregnant,
suggestive,
telltale
in the sense of moving
Definition
changing or capable of changing position
the moving parts in the engine
Synonyms
mobile,
running,
active,
going,
operational,
in motion,
driving,
kinetic,
movable,
motile,
unfixed
in the sense of peripatetic
Definition
travelling from place to place
Her father was in the army and the family led a peripatetic existence.
Synonyms
travelling,
wandering,
roaming,
migrant,
mobile,
roving,
nomadic,
itinerant,
vagrant,
vagabond,
ambulant
in the sense of portable
Definition
easily carried
There was a portable television behind the bar.
Synonyms
light,
compact,
convenient,
handy,
lightweight,
manageable,
movable,
easily carried,
portative
in the sense of sprightly
Definition
lively and active
the sprightly 85-year-old president
Synonyms
lively,
spirited,
active,
energetic,
animated,
brisk,
nimble,
agile,
jaunty,
gay (old-fashioned),
perky,
vivacious,
spry,
bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
in the sense of spry
Definition
active and lively
a spry old lady
Synonyms
active,
sprightly,
lively,
quick,
brisk,
supple,
nimble,
agile,
nippy (British, informal)
in the sense of travelling
troupes of travelling actors
Synonyms
itinerant,
moving,
touring,
mobile,
wandering,
unsettled,
roaming,
migrant,
restless,
roving,
nomadic,
migratory,
peripatetic,
wayfaring
Additional synonyms
in the sense of versatile
Definition
having many different skills or uses
He stood out as one of the game's most versatile athletes.