"Immobile" vs. "motionless": comparing stillness in words

Reviewed and edited by

Lloyd Cooper 06/11/2024, 18:44

English.me team member

Immobile and motionless. What's the difference?

What is similar?

Both words describe the lack of movement or the state of being still.

What is different?

Immobile often implies being unable to move due to external constraints or abilities, whereas motionless simply means not in motion but does not imply inability to move.

Which one is more common?

Examples of usage

Immobile

The patient remained immobile in the hospital bed due to his injuries.
The car was immobile after the engine failure.

Motionless

The cat sat motionless, watching the bird with intense focus.
The water was so calm and motionless that it reflected the sky like a mirror.