upward mobility
noun
See under vertical mobility(def 1).
Origin of upward mobility
First recorded in 1945–50
OTHER WORDS FROM upward mobility
upwardly mobile, adjectiveWords nearby upward mobility
upu,
upvalue,
upvc,
upvote,
upward,
upward mobility,
upwardly mobile,
upwards,
upwards of,
upwarp,
upwell
Definition for upward mobility (2 of 2)
vertical mobility
noun Sociology.
movement from one social level to a higher one (upward mobility) or a lower one (downward mobility), as by changing jobs or marrying.
cultural diffusion from one social level to another, as the adoption by one economic class of the fashions current or formerly current in a higher class.
Compare
horizontal mobility.
British Dictionary definitions for upward mobility (1 of 2)
upward mobility
noun
sociol
the movement of an individual, social group, or class to a position of increased status or power
Compare downward mobility See also horizontal mobility, vertical mobility
British Dictionary definitions for upward mobility (2 of 2)
vertical mobility
noun
sociol
the movement of individuals or groups to positions in society that involve a change in class, status, and power
Compare horizontal mobility See also upward mobility, downward mobility