mobility
mobility — noun
1. how easily a person can move their body from one position or place to another, f
how easily a person can move their body from one position or place to another, for example by walking, standing up, or getting in and out of a seat or bed
After breaking her hip, Paloma's mobility was limited for several months.
possessive noun + mobility — personal physical condition
The nursing home installed grab bars in every bathroom to improve residents' mobility.
Regular stretching and light exercise can help maintain good mobility as you age.
Wheelchair ramps at the entrance greatly improved mobility for visitors with disabilities.
Kabir's mobility returned gradually after weeks of physical therapy following the accident.
- movement
broader term covering any motion; less specific than mobility about the ability to move freely
- range of motion
more technical; refers to how far a body part can move at a joint
- physical freedom
less common; emphasises the lack of restriction rather than the ability itself
- immobility
direct opposite: inability to move
- paralysis
stronger and more specific: complete loss of movement in part of the body
用法筆記
Often paired with verbs like improve, maintain, regain, or limit when discussing physical health or recovery.
常見錯誤
2. the quality of an object or piece of equipment being designed so that it can be
the quality of an object or piece of equipment being designed so that it can be carried, folded, or moved from one location to another without much effort
The lightweight frame gives this folding wheelchair excellent mobility for travel.
collocation: excellent/good mobility (of objects)
Naoko chose the compact speaker because its mobility meant she could take it anywhere.
Mobility is a major selling point for modular furniture that can be reconfigured easily.
The camping stove's mobility made it popular among hikers who needed to pack light.
Bao folded his bicycle in seconds, pleased with its mobility for his daily train commute.
- portability
more common and narrower; focuses on being easy to carry
- transportability
more formal and less common; emphasises suitability for being moved
- manoeuvrability
focuses on ease of steering or moving in tight spaces
- immovability
the quality of being fixed in place and hard to move
- bulk
large size and weight that make movement difficult
用法筆記
Used for objects, furniture, or equipment — not for people. Compare sense 1 (BODY MOVEMENT), which applies to humans.
常見錯誤
3. the ability of an individual or group to rise or fall to a different social clas
the ability of an individual or group to rise or fall to a different social class, income level, or professional position within a society's structure
Access to higher education has long been considered the engine of upward social mobility.
collocation: upward / downward social mobility
Devika's promotion to store manager after years on the sales floor showed real economic mobility.
collocation: economic mobility + possessive noun describing a person's career path
Job mobility allows workers to switch careers or move between regions more freely.
The report examined how affordable housing affects intergenerational mobility in urban areas.
Walid became the first in his family to attend university, a leap in social mobility that changed his future.
- social advancement
narrower; implies improvement, not just any change
- class mobility
restricted to changes between social classes specifically
- economic mobility
focuses on income and wealth rather than social status
- social stagnation
the condition where social position remains fixed across generations
- class rigidity
a system that makes it difficult to move between social classes
用法筆記
Frequently modified by adjectives indicating direction (upward, downward) or domain (social, economic, job, occupational). Commonly appears in academic, political, and journalistic writing.
常見錯誤
4. the degree to which a person can use internet services, apps, or communication t
the degree to which a person can use internet services, apps, or communication tools on a portable device such as a smartphone or tablet while away from a fixed office or home
The new software platform was built with full mobility in mind for remote workers.
collocation: (built/designed) with mobility in mind
Advances in 5G networks have dramatically improved mobility for professionals on the go.
Elena's company invested heavily in mobility solutions for its sales team in the field.
The app's smooth performance on small screens showed that the developers prioritised mobility.
Hiro reviewed the contract on his tablet while waiting for his flight, grateful for the mobility the company's system provided.
- mobile access
more concrete; refers to the ability to reach services via a mobile device
- on-the-go connectivity
informal; emphasises staying connected while travelling
- remote access
broader; includes working from home or any off-site location, not just while moving
- fixed access
restriction of services to desktop computers or wired connections
- stationary use
using technology only in one fixed location
用法筆記
Common in business and technology writing. Often appears in phrases like mobility solution, mobility strategy, or enterprise mobility.