mobility
moh-BIL-uh-tee
/moʊˈbɪləti/
The ability to move freely or easily, especially upward in social status, workplace rank, or geographical location.
In economics, primarily refers to 'social mobility' or 'economic mobility'—the capacity to improve one's economic status over time.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin 'movere' (to move). Classical Latin condensed 'movibilis' into 'mobilis', eventually entering English via French to describe anything capable of motion, from armies to social classes.
Word relationships
- advancement: Advancement focuses specifically on promotion within a single career or company, whereas mobility includes moving across industries or economic tiers.
- flexibility: Flexibility means adaptability, whereas mobility emphasizes physical or socioeconomic movement.
- immobility: Inability to change location, career rank, or socioeconomic class.
- stagnation: Lack of upward development or movement.
Commonly confused with
- motility: Motility refers to spontaneous biological movement of single cells or organisms; mobility refers to general capacity for physical or social movement.
Word family
- mobile (adjective): Able to move or be moved freely and easily.
- mobilize (verb): To organize and prepare resources or forces for action.
Collocations
- social mobility
- upward mobility
- economic mobility
- job mobility
- labor mobility
Idioms & expressions
- climbing the ladder (moving upward in career rank and mobility)
Example sentences
- "Access to affordable higher education remains the primary driver of upward social mobility for working-class families." Sociology & Economics
- "High housing costs in major cities reduce labor mobility, preventing workers from moving to where jobs are most plentiful." Labor Market Policy
Memory hook
A MOBILE phone moves anywhere; MOBILITY allows workers to move UP the income ladder. Mobility = Ability to move up or across.
When not to use
Do not confuse with physical flexibility or stretching capability of joints.
Fun facts
- The 'Great Gatsby Curve' in economics illustrates the connection between concentration of wealth and reduced intergenerational economic mobility.
Related words
Explore more words
agility, Connectivity, migrate, flexibility, transit, migration
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