Mobile
/ˈməʊbaɪl/
Definitions
3 meaningsCapable of moving or being moved, easily changed.
/ˈməʊbaɪl/
Capable of moving or being moved easily.
She uses a mobile workstation to complete her tasks.
💡 Simply: Imagine a toy that you can take with you wherever you go, or a phone that you can use to call people from any place. That's the idea of 'mobile' – it can move around!
👶 For kids: Able to move or go places.
More Examples
The team created a mobile app to improve customer communication.
Mobile dental units provide care to patients in remote areas.
How It's Used
"A mobile phone allows you to communicate from almost anywhere."
"The army deployed mobile units to the front lines."
A decorative structure that hangs and moves freely, often made of several parts.
/ˈməʊbaɪl/
A sculpture or decorative object designed to move, often suspended.
The museum featured a collection of Alexander Calder's mobiles.
💡 Simply: Have you ever seen those cool hanging decorations that move with the wind? Those are called mobiles! They're like art that's always dancing.
👶 For kids: A hanging decoration that moves around.
More Examples
The colorful mobile added a touch of whimsy to the nursery.
The mobile gently swayed in the breeze.
How It's Used
"The artist's mobiles were known for their delicate balance and movement."
"She hung a mobile over the baby's crib to entertain her."
A mobile phone.
/ˈməʊbaɪl/
I lost my mobile at the airport.
💡 Simply: It's just a fancy way of saying cellphone or smartphone – the thing you use to call and text people.
👶 For kids: A phone you can take with you everywhere.
More Examples
She checked her mobile for messages.
How It's Used
"Give me a call on my mobile."
Idioms & expressions
mobile home
A transportable manufactured house.
"They live in a mobile home on the outskirts of town."
mobile banking
The use of a mobile device to access banking services.
"Mobile banking allows customers to check their balance and make payments on the go."
From Latin *mobilis* meaning 'movable,' derived from *movere* 'to move.' Evolved through Old French *mobile* and entered English.
The word's usage expanded rapidly with the advent of the automobile and the subsequent development of portable communication devices.
Memory tip
Think of a car on wheels - it's mobile!
Word Origin
"to move"