social mobility: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2-C1Formal, academic, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “social mobility” mean?
The movement of individuals or groups between different socio-economic positions within a society's hierarchy.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The movement of individuals or groups between different socio-economic positions within a society's hierarchy.
The ability, or lack thereof, for a person or family to move up or down the social and economic ladder across generations or within a lifetime, influenced by factors like education, occupation, income, and wealth.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally standard in both. UK discourse may reference historical class structures more often, while US discourse often ties it to the 'American Dream' narrative.
Connotations
In academic/policy contexts, the term is neutral. In political discourse, it can be ideologically charged, seen as a measure of a society's fairness or meritocracy.
Frequency
Very common in both socio-political and economic discussions. Slightly higher frequency in UK discourse due to longer tradition of class analysis.
Grammar
How to Use “social mobility” in a Sentence
[high/low/upward/downward] + social mobility[verb: promote/hinder/study/measure] + social mobilitysocial mobility + [verb: is/declined/increased/stagnated]social mobility + [preposition: across/within/between]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “social mobility” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Society should aim to **mobilise** social potential.
- Policies that **facilitate** mobility.
American English
- The study sought to **measure** how Americans **move** between income quintiles.
- Programs that **enable** upward mobility.
adverb
British English
- They moved **socially upward**.
- The group is **highly mobile** socio-economically.
American English
- Families are finding it harder to move **up**.
- The data shows people are **increasingly stuck** in their class.
adjective
British English
- A **mobile** society.
- The **socially mobile** individual.
American English
- A **high-mobility** country.
- **Upwardly mobile** professionals.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussed in CSR reports and DEI initiatives as a societal outcome linked to inclusive hiring and promotion.
Academic
A key concept in sociology, economics, and political science, measured using longitudinal data and parent-child income correlations.
Everyday
Used in discussions about whether children will have a better life than their parents, or about the fairness of the 'system'.
Technical
Operationalised as elasticity coefficients (e.g., intergenerational earnings elasticity), or measured via transition matrices between occupation classes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “social mobility”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “social mobility”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “social mobility”
- Using as a countable noun (*a social mobility*). It is generally non-count. Confusing it with 'migration' or 'social movement' (political activism).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Inequality refers to the snapshot distribution of wealth/income at a point in time. Mobility refers to movement within that distribution over time. A society can have high inequality but also high mobility.
Intergenerational mobility compares an individual's socio-economic status to their parents'. Intragenerational mobility tracks changes within an individual's own lifetime.
Generally seen as positive, especially upward mobility. However, very high mobility can also indicate instability, and high *downward* mobility can cause anxiety. The ideal is often seen as opportunity-based upward mobility with a safety net.
Commonly by correlating parents' and children's income/occupation/education (e.g., the 'Great Gatsby Curve'). Longitudinal studies tracking the same people over decades provide the most accurate data.
The movement of individuals or groups between different socio-economic positions within a society's hierarchy.
Social mobility is usually formal, academic, journalistic in register.
Social mobility: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsəʊʃ(ə)l məʊˈbɪlɪti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsoʊʃ(ə)l moʊˈbɪləṭi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “rags to riches”
- “moving up in the world”
- “born with a silver spoon (antonymic concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SOCIAL ladder. MOBILITY is your ability to move on it.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS A LADDER / HIERARCHY (moving up/down), SOCIAL MOBILITY IS FLUIDITY / MOVEMENT (high/low mobility).
Practice
Quiz
Which term is most closely associated with a *lack* of social mobility?