mobility
B2Formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
the ability to move or be moved freely and easily
The capacity for movement or transition, encompassing physical movement, social/economic movement between classes, technological/data transfer, and general adaptability
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an abstract noun denoting capacity or quality rather than a concrete action. Often used in sociological, technological, and medical contexts beyond literal physical movement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; minor spelling variations in related terms (e.g., 'mobilise' vs 'mobilize').
Connotations
In UK socio-political discourse, often linked to discussions of social class and public transport. In US discourse, frequently associated with economic opportunity and vehicle dependency.
Frequency
Comparably high frequency in both varieties, with slight elevation in US corporate/HR contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Noun + of + mobility (e.g., degree of mobility)Adjective + mobility (e.g., restricted mobility)Verb + mobility (e.g., promote mobility)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On the move”
- “Upwardly mobile”
- “A rolling stone”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to workforce flexibility, career progression opportunities, and the ability to relocate for work.
Academic
Used in sociology (social mobility), economics (labour mobility), medicine (joint mobility), and physics (ionic mobility).
Everyday
Commonly describes ease of physical movement, especially regarding ageing, injury, or transport options.
Technical
In computing/telecoms: refers to data/device portability and network roaming capabilities.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The new policy aims to mobilise the workforce.
- The army was mobilised rapidly.
American English
- The new policy aims to mobilize the workforce.
- The army was mobilized rapidly.
adverb
British English
- The team worked mobily from various locations.
- The data is accessed mobily via the app.
American English
- The team worked mobilely from various locations.
- The data is accessed mobilely via the app.
adjective
British English
- She is highly mobile and works remotely.
- A mobile library serves the village.
American English
- She is highly mobile and works remotely.
- A mobile library serves the town.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The scooter gives him more mobility.
- Cars provide great mobility in cities.
- After the surgery, his knee mobility improved.
- Social mobility is lower in some countries.
- The company promotes job mobility between its international offices.
- Digital nomads value their geographic mobility.
- The study examines intergenerational mobility and its correlation with educational attainment.
- Advancements in battery technology are crucial for the future of electric vehicle mobility.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MOBILE phone – it's designed for easy movement and connectivity, just like the concept of mobility.
Conceptual Metaphor
MOVEMENT IS FREEDOM / SOCIAL HIERARCHY IS A LADDER (e.g., upward mobility)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'мобильность' in all contexts; for physical movement, 'подвижность' is often more accurate.
- In social contexts, 'социальная мобильность' is correct, but the concept is less historically prevalent in Russian discourse.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'mobility' as a countable noun (e.g., 'He has a good mobility') – it is generally uncountable.
- Confusing 'mobility' with 'agility' (which implies quick, nimble movement).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'mobility' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is almost always uncountable. We say 'a lack of mobility', not 'a mobility'.
'Movement' refers to the act or process of moving. 'Mobility' refers to the ability or capacity to move easily.
Yes, it's commonly used for social/economic movement (social mobility) and data/technology (data mobility).
The related adjective is 'mobile'. There is also the less common 'mobilizable'/'mobilisable'.
Collections
Part of a collection
Social Theory
C1 · 47 words · Advanced vocabulary for sociology and social science.
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