MOBILE


Meaning of MOBILE in English

I. mo ‧ bile 1 /ˈməʊbaɪl $ ˈmoʊb ə l, -biːl/ BrE AmE adjective

[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: French ; Origin: Latin mobilis , from movere 'to move' ]

1 . not fixed in one position, and easy to move and use in different places:

mobile air-conditioners

2 . moving or able to move from one job, area, or social class to another:

a more mobile workforce

People these days are much more socially mobile.

an upwardly mobile (=moving to a higher social scale) professional

3 . able to move or travel easily OPP immobile :

She’s more mobile now that she has her own car.

4 . mobile library/shop/clinic etc British English a shop etc that is kept in a vehicle and driven from place to place:

Two mobile units provide health care in rural villages.

5 . mobile mouth/face/features written features that can change their expression quickly:

His mobile features registered amusement.

• • •

COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)

■ adverbs

▪ highly mobile (=very mobile)

We now live in a highly mobile society.

▪ upwardly mobile (=moving up to a higher social class)

The restaurant's customers are mainly upwardly mobile young professionals.

▪ socially mobile (=moving from one social class to another, especially to a higher social class)

Children today are even less likely to be socially mobile.

II. mo ‧ bile 2 S2 /ˈməʊbaɪl $ ˈmoʊbiːl/ BrE AmE noun [countable]

1 . British English a ↑ mobile phone SYN cellphone American English :

Give me a call on my mobile.

Have you got my mobile number?

2 . a decoration made of small objects tied to wires or string which is hung up so that the objects move when air blows around them

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English.      Longman - Словарь современного английского языка.