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Move: meaning, definitions and examples

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move

 

[ muːv ]

Verb / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Verb

physical movement

To change position or place; to go from one place to another. This word can refer to physical relocation or shifting of position.

Synonyms

displace, relocate, shift, transfer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
move

General term for changing position or place.

  • I need to move my car
  • She moved to a new city last year
shift

Indicates a slight or partial movement, or a change in position, often more subtle.

  • He shifted in his seat
  • The tectonic plates shifted during the earthquake
relocate

Usually refers to moving to a new place, often for work or business purposes.

  • The company is planning to relocate its headquarters
  • She had to relocate due to a job opportunity
transfer

Used when moving something or someone from one place to another, especially within institutions or organizations.

  • She transferred to another department
  • The funds were transferred to the new account
displace

Implies forcing someone or something out of its place, often with negative connotations.

  • The flood displaced thousands of people
  • The war displaced many families

Examples of usage

  • He moved the chair to the other side of the room.
  • The cat moved quickly across the yard.
  • We decided to move to a new city for a fresh start.
Context #2 | Noun

action of moving

The act of changing position or place; a change of residence or location. It can also refer to the act of moving household items from one place to another.

Synonyms

relocation, shift, transfer, transition.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
move

General term used when changing location or position, can be applied to both people and objects. Commonly used in both casual and professional settings.

  • She decided to move to a new apartment
  • The company will move their headquarters next year
relocation

Used more formally and often refers to moving for work or business reasons. It implies a permanent or long-term move.

  • The job offer includes a relocation package
  • The army base relocation will take place over the next 3 months
shift

Often used to describe movements that are small or subtle, or changes in position or direction. Can also refer to changes in work schedules.

  • Please shift the vase a little to the left
  • He will start his night shift at 10 PM
transfer

Primarily used to describe the act of moving from one place, position, or institution to another, especially in professional or academic contexts.

  • She was able to transfer to a better university
  • The company is offering transfers to their new office in New York
transition

Used to describe the process of changing from one state or condition to another, often implying a period of adjustment.

  • The country is undergoing a transition to democracy
  • Transitioning to a new job can be challenging

Examples of usage

  • The move to a new house was exciting.
  • She made a strategic move in the game.
  • Our company is planning a big move to a new office.

Translations

Translations of the word "move" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mover

🇮🇳 चलना

🇩🇪 bewegen

🇮🇩 bergerak

🇺🇦 рухатися

🇵🇱 ruch

🇯🇵 動く (ugoku)

🇫🇷 bouger

🇪🇸 mover

🇹🇷 hareket etmek

🇰🇷 움직이다 (umjigida)

🇸🇦 تحرك (taharrak)

🇨🇿 pohybovat se

🇸🇰 pohybovať sa

🇨🇳 移动 (yídòng)

🇸🇮 premakniti

🇮🇸 færa

🇰🇿 қозғалу

🇬🇪 გადაადგილება (gadaadgileba)

🇦🇿 hərəkət etmək

🇲🇽 mover

Etymology

The word 'move' originated from the Old English word 'mōvan', which meant 'to change the place of'. Over time, the word evolved to its current form in Middle English. The concept of movement has always been essential to human survival and development, leading to the widespread use of this word in various contexts.

See also: immovability, immovable, movability, movable, moved, movement, mover, moves, movie, moving, movingly, remove, unmovable, unmovably, unmoved.

Word Frequency Rank

At #783 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.