French word

immobiliser

Pronunciation

IPA/imobilize/

Meaning

  • verbstop

Example

La police a immobilisé la voiture.

The police stopped the car.

Illustration for immobiliser (stop)

More examples

Le coureur s'est immobilisé après la blessure.

The runner stopped after the injury.

Core concept

A car, person, or other moving thing stopped and held in one position.

Common phrases

  • s'immobiliser sur place

    stop in place

  • immobiliser un compte

    freeze an account

  • immobiliser un bras

    immobilize an arm

Similar words

arrêter: To stop something that is in motion.
bloquer: To block a passage or mechanism so that movement cannot continue.
coincer: To make something unable to move by trapping or wedging it.
paralyser: To stop the movement or operation of a body or machine.

Definition in French

Mettre quelque chose ou quelqu'un dans un état où il ne peut plus se déplacer, temporairement ou définitivement.

Word origin

The French verb immobiliser developed from immobile plus -iser, while immobile continues Latin immobilis, combining in- with mobilis.

Usage tips

  • In financial contexts, immobiliser des fonds means to tie up funds so they cannot be used freely.

Other meanings

  • fixverb
  • immobilizeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • immobilisationimmobilizationnoun
  • immobilisateurimmobilizernoun
  • immobiliséimmobilizedadjective

Word lists with this word