immovable

1 of 2

adjective

im·​mov·​able (ˌ)i(m)-ˈmü-və-bəl 

1

: incapable of being moved

broadly : not moving or not intended to be moved

2

a

: steadfast, unyielding

b

: not capable of being moved emotionally

immovability

(ˌ)i(m)-ˌmü-və-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

immovableness

(ˌ)i(m)-ˈmü-və-bəl-nəs 

noun

immovably

(ˌ)i(m)-ˈmü-və-blē 

adverb

immovable

2 of 2

noun

1

: one that cannot be moved

2

immovables plural : real property as opposed to movable property

Synonyms

Adjective

• immobile
• immotile
• irremovable
• nonmotile
• nonmoving
• unbudging
• unmovable

Examples of immovable in a Sentence

Adjective

that boulder is immovable, even with a bulldozer

despite tears and pleading, the police officer was immovable on the matter of a hefty fine for speeding

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

There was still plenty of art to see, including a few works that are immovable. —Maximilíano Durón, ARTnews.com, 10 Oct. 2024

What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? —Christopher Knight, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2024

Get Citation Request Reprint Permissions The mounting tensions between Catalan nationalism and the Spanish state are like an encounter between an unstoppable force and an immovable object. —Sebastian Balfour, Foreign Affairs, 18 Oct. 2017

Once the authorities emptied the area, according to activists, the immovable blocks of concrete were installed in place of the tents, ending any notion the former residents may one day be able to return. —Morgan Meaker, WIRED, 9 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

immovable

adjective

im·​mov·​able

(ˈ)im-ˈ(m)ü-və-bəl

1

a

: not able to be moved

b

: not moving : stationary

2

: steadfast sense 1b

immovability

(ˌ)im-ˌ(m)ü-və-ˈbil-ət-ē

noun

immovably

(ˈ)im-ˈ(m)ü-və-blē

adverb

Legal Definition

immovable

1 of 2 adjective

im·​mov·​able im-ˈmü-və-bəl 

: incapable of being moved see also immovable property at property

immovable

2 of 2 noun

: an item of immovable property (as land, standing timber, or a building)

a manufactured home placed upon a lot or tract of land shall be an immovable

—Louisiana Revised Statutes

also : an interest or right (as a servitude) in an item of immovable property

a predial servitude is an incorporeal immovable

—Louisiana Civil Code

—often used in pl. compare movable