mobile
mobile
Pronunciation
The word "mobile" can be pronounced in a few ways depending on the dialect (British English vs. American English) and whether it's used as an adjective or a noun. I'll provide the most common American English pronunciations.
IPA Phonetic Spelling:
/ˈmoʊbəl/ (Adjective and the device noun)
/ˈmoʊbiːl/ (Less common for the device noun, more common for things like "mobile home")
Syllable Breakdown:
mo-bile
mo: /moʊ/ - The sound of 'm' followed by the long 'o' sound as in "boat."
bile: /bəl/ or /biːl/
/bəl/: The sound of 'b' followed by a schwa ('uh' sound) and then a syllabic 'l' sound.
/biːl/: The sound of 'b' followed by the 'ee' sound as in "see" and then the 'l' sound
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: mobile
Plural: mobiles
Adjective: mobile (does not have singular/plural forms)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A portable electronic device, typically a smartphone, used for communication, internet access, and various applications.
Synonyms: cellphone, smartphone, handphone (Southeast Asia), cellular phone
Antonyms: landline, desktop computer
An artistic sculpture or decorative arrangement constructed with delicately balanced parts that hang freely and are designed to move with air currents.
Synonyms: kinetic sculpture, hanging artwork, suspended art
Antonyms: (none readily applicable, as it describes a specific type of art)
Adjective
Capable of moving or being moved easily and freely.
Synonyms: movable, portable, transferable, nimble, agile, unstationary
Antonyms: stationary, fixed, immobile, still, rooted, stuck
Pertaining to or involving the use of cellular communication technology or devices.
Synonyms: cellular, wireless, portable
Antonyms: wired, landline-based
Changing easily in expression or mood.
Synonyms: changeable, expressive, shifting, mutable, fluctuating
Antonyms: rigid, unchanging, fixed, stagnant
Examples of Use
Books:
"He pulled out his mobile phone, its screen a tiny beacon in the dim light of the alley, and quickly dialed for help." (From a crime novel)
"The protagonist's struggle with loneliness in a hyper-connected world is beautifully depicted through her constant, yet unfulfilling, interactions on her mobile." (From a literary review)
Newspapers:
"New regulations aim to curb distracted driving, specifically targeting the use of mobile devices while behind the wheel." (The New York Times)
"The company announced plans to launch a new mobile banking app, promising a more seamless user experience for its customers." (The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications:
"Tech giant unveils its latest mobile operating system, boasting enhanced security features and improved battery life." (TechCrunch)
"Researchers are developing mobile health clinics to reach underserved populations in remote areas, providing essential medical care on the go." (ScienceDaily)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Series: "In the sci-fi drama, characters often rely on highly advanced mobile communicators that project holograms." (From a show synopsis)
Video Games: "The new update to the popular battle royale game introduces mobile respawn beacons, allowing players to revive teammates in more strategic locations." (Gaming website forum)
Film: "The art director created intricate mobiles that hung from the set, casting dynamic shadows as the characters moved through the scene." (Behind-the-scenes documentary)
Music: "The lyrics of the hit song describe a long-distance relationship maintained entirely through mobile messages and video calls." (Music review)
General Public Discourse:
"Can you send that to my mobile?" (Common everyday request)
"I'm pretty mobile these days, so I can easily travel for work." (Referring to personal agility or ability to move)
"The company needs a more mobile workforce if it wants to adapt to changing market demands." (Discussing flexibility in employment)
"That baby's got a cute little mobile hanging over her crib." (Referring to the nursery decoration)
10 Quotes Using Mobile
"In my opinion, the future of mobile is the future of everything." (Matt Galligan, Co-founder of Circa)
"If your plans don't include mobile, your plans are not finished." (Wendy Clark, Coca-Cola)
"The mobile device has become our communications hub, our diary, our entertainment portal, our primary source of media consumption, our wallet and our gateway to real-time information tailored to our needs1." (Nihal Mehta)
"Mobile is not the future, it is the now. Meet your customers in the environment of their choice, not where it is convenient for you." (Cyndie Shaffstall, Founder of Spider Trainers)
"Your mobile device quickly has become the easiest portal into your digital self." (Phil Nickinson, Editor of AndroidCentral.com)
"The world is being re-shaped by the convergence of social, mobile, cloud, big data, community and other powerful forces." (Marc Benioff)
"To not be mobile in the digital world is fast becoming simply to not be." (Tom Grinsted, The Guardian)
"An iPod, a phone, an internet mobile communicator... these are NOT three separate devices! And we are calling it iPhone!" (Steve Jobs)
"Mobile phones are misnamed. They should be called gateways to human knowledge.” (Ray Kurzweil)
"Long distance relationships through mobile communication generally becomes poor because of the weak signals and ends up due to jammed networks." (Amit Abraham)
Etymology
The word "mobile" comes from the Latin word "mobilis," which means "movable," "easy to move," or "flexible."
Here's a breakdown of its journey:
Latin Roots: The core idea comes directly from Latin. "Mobilis" itself is related to "movere," meaning "to move." So, right from the start, the word was all about movement.
Old French Connection: It then made its way into Old French as "mobile," keeping that same meaning of something that can be moved.
English Adoption: English adopted "mobile" from French in the late 15th century. When it first appeared in English, it primarily meant "capable of moving or being moved." Think of it in the sense of something not fixed or stationary. For example, you might talk about a "mobile army" (one that can move around) or a "mobile limb" (a part of the body that can be moved).
Over time, its meaning expanded. The noun "mobile" for a decorative hanging sculpture that moves in the air came much later, in the 20th century, influenced by the artistic movement. The use of "mobile" to refer to a phone or communication device is even more recent, emerging with the development of that technology in the late 20th century, directly from the idea that these phones could be moved from place to place, unlike traditional landlines.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Mobile
Mobile home: A prefabricated house, often on wheels, that can be moved to a different location.
Mobile app: A software application designed to run on a smartphone, tablet, or other mobile device.
Mobile banking: Conducting financial transactions via a mobile device.
Mobile data: Internet access provided through a cellular network to a mobile device.
Mobile workforce: Employees who do not work at a fixed location but perform their jobs from various places, often using mobile technology.
On the move: Constantly traveling or going from place to place (uses a synonym of "mobile").
A moving target: Something that is difficult to aim at or deal with because it is constantly changing or in motion (uses a synonym of "mobile").
Footloose and fancy-free: Not tied down by responsibilities or commitments, able to go wherever one pleases (implies being very mobile).
To get a wiggle on: To hurry up or move quickly (implies active movement).
To hit the road: To begin a journey (implies becoming mobile).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of mobile from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
