immovable
/ɪˈmuːvəbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈmuːvəbl/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)i(m)-ˈmü-və-bəl/ (ame, mw)
immovable — adjective
- immovablepositive
- more immovablecomparative
- most immovablesuperlative
1. firmly fixed in one position and unable to be shifted or taken elsewhere.
firmly fixed in one position and unable to be shifted or taken elsewhere.
The enormous boulder in the garden was completely immovable.
The kitchen table is bolted to the floor, making it immovable.
pattern: make + object + immovable
The delivery crew found an immovable iron gate blocking the entrance.
The grand piano stayed immovable no matter how hard the movers pushed.
That stone wall is immovable — it has stood here for centuries.
- fixed
more common in everyday English; can describe anything firmly attached
- stationary
describes something not currently moving, not necessarily impossible to move
- rooted
metaphorical, often used for people or plants; less formal than 'immovable'
文法句型
immovable + noun
be/become/stay + immovable
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'heavy'. An immovable object is fixed in place and cannot be shifted at all; a heavy object can be moved with enough force or the right equipment.
常見錯誤
2. describes a person who refuses to change their mind, or an opinion or decision t
describes a person who refuses to change their mind, or an opinion or decision that stays set no matter what arguments are made against it.
The head teacher remained immovable on the uniform policy despite parent complaints.
The elderly shopkeeper was immovable in her refusal to sell the building.
The committee's immovable stance on the budget frustrated the entire staff.
Even after hearing new evidence, the judge stayed immovable.
That old farmer is immovable about politics — no argument ever sways him.
- inflexible
often describes rules or systems rather than personal opinions
- adamant
more informal and personal; emphasises emotional firmness
- obstinate
carries a negative judgement; implies stubbornness is unreasonable
- open-minded
willing to consider new ideas and change one's opinion
- flexible
able to adapt one's position when circumstances change
文法句型
immovable + in/on/about + noun
remain/stay + immovable
用法筆記
Often used in formal contexts. The subject is usually a person or an official position. Distinguish from sense 1 (FIXED IN PLACE), which concerns physical objects that cannot be moved.
常見錯誤
immovable — noun
1. a person or thing that stays firmly in place and cannot be shifted.
a person or thing that stays firmly in place and cannot be shifted.
The huge cabinet was an immovable in the narrow hallway.
In the moving plan, the piano was listed among the immovables.
plural form: immovables for multiple fixed items
The old fountain in the town square is a true immovable.
文法句型
an immovable
the immovables
2. property such as land, houses, or buildings, treated as distinct from belongings
property such as land, houses, or buildings, treated as distinct from belongings that can be carried or transported.
Under civil law, a house counts as an immovable, not personal property.
The contract distinguished between movables and immovables in the estate.
contrastive pair: movables and immovables
Land and buildings are classified as immovables in most legal systems.
The inheritance included both cash and several immovables in the countryside.
- real property
the standard legal term; interchangeable in formal contexts
- real estate
used in everyday and business English, not restricted to legal language
- movables
items that can be physically transported; the legal opposite of immovables
文法句型
immovables
movables and immovables
用法筆記
A technical legal term. In everyday English, 'real estate' or 'property' is far more common.