move

[moov]

verb (used without object)

moved, moving 

1. to pass from one place or position to another.

   Synonyms: budge, stir

2. to go from one place of residence to another.

   They moved from Tennessee to Texas.

   Synonyms: remove

3. to advance or progress.

   The red racing car moved into the lead.

4. to have a regular motion, as an implement or a machine; turn; revolve.

   Synonyms: operate, rotate, gyrate, spin

5. to sell or be sold.

   That new model is moving well.

6. to start off or leave.

   It's time to be moving.

7. to transfer a piece in a game, as chess or checkers.

8. (of the bowels) to discharge or eject the feces; evacuate.

9. to be active in a particular sphere.

   to move in musical society.

10. to take action; proceed.

11. to make a formal request, application, or proposal.

    to move for a new trial.

verb (used with object)

moved, moving 

1. to change from one place or position to another.

   Synonyms: propel, transfer, shift
   Antonyms: fix

2. to set or keep in motion.

   Synonyms: agitate

3. to prompt, actuate, or impel to some action.

   What moved you to do this?

   Synonyms: lead, instigate, incite, induce, influence

4. to arouse or excite the feelings or passions of; affect with emotion (usually followed byto ).

   to move someone to anger.

5. to affect with tender or compassionate emotion; touch.

   The tale of tragedy moved her.

6. to transfer (a piece in a game) from one position to another.

7. to dispose of (goods) by sale.

8. to cause (the bowels) to discharge or eject the feces.

9. to propose formally, as to a court or judge, or for consideration by a deliberative assembly.

10. to submit a formal request or proposal to (a court, a sovereign, etc.).

noun

1. an act or instance of moving; movement.

2. a change of location or residence.

3. an action toward an objective or goal; step.

   a move toward a higher tax.

4. (in chess, checkers, etc.) a player's right or turn to make a play.

5. a play or maneuver, as in a game or sport.

verb phrase

1. move up,  to advance to a higher level.

2. move on

   1. to leave or go away.

      I’ve been in this job ten years and it’s time to move on.

   2. to approach or attack as a military target.

      The army is moving on the capital itself.

   3. to progress or change.

      Those hats were popular once, but fashion has moved on.

   4. to move past an upsetting experience and go on with one’s life.

3. move over,  to change or cause to change to another position, especially to make room for another.

   to make space by moving over.

4. move in,  to begin to occupy a place in which to live or work.

5. move in on

   1. to approach or make advances toward usurping another's success, authority, position, or the like.

   2. to take aggressive steps to control or possess.

      The company has not yet moved in on the consumer market.

6. move out,  to leave a place in order to start or continue a planned march, maneuver, journey, etc..

   The troops will move out of the encampment at dawn.

move

/ muːv /

verb

1. to go or take from one place to another; change in location or position

2. (usually intr) to change (one's dwelling, place of business, etc)

3. to be or cause to be in motion; stir

4. (intr) (of machines, etc) to work or operate

5. (tr) to cause (to do something); prompt

6. (intr) to begin to act

   move soon or we'll lose the order

7. (intr) to associate oneself with a specified social circle

   to move in exalted spheres

8. (intr) to make progress

9. (tr) to arouse affection, pity, or compassion in; touch

10. (in board games) to change the position of (a piece) or (of a piece) to change position

11. (intr) (of merchandise) to be disposed of by being bought

12. to suggest (a proposal) formally, as in debating or parliamentary procedure

13. (intr; usually foll by on or along) to go away or to another place; leave

14. to cause (the bowels) to evacuate or (of the bowels) to be evacuated

15. informal,  (intr) to be exciting or active

    the party started moving at twelve

16. to take every step possible (to achieve something)

noun

1. the act of moving; movement

2. one of a sequence of actions, usually part of a plan; manoeuvre

3. the act of moving one's residence, place of business, etc

4. 1. a player's turn to move his piece or take other permitted action

   2. a permitted manoeuvre of a piece

5. informal

   1. to get started

   2. to hurry up

6. informal,  (usually used with a negative) to take even the slightest action

   don't make a move without phoning me

7. to commit oneself to a position or course of action

8. 1. travelling from place to place

   2. advancing; succeeding

   3. very active; busy

Other Word Forms

• countermove verb
• outmove verb (used with object)
• unmoved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of move¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English meven, moven, from Anglo-French mover, ultimately from Latin movēre

Word History and Origins

Origin of move¹

C13: from Anglo-French mover, from Latin movēre

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. make one's move, to act, especially to assert oneself at an opportune time.

2. put moves on, to make sexual advances toward. Also make a move on.

3. on the move,

   1. busy; active.

      on the move from morning till night.

   2. going from place to place.

      Infantry units have been on the move all day.

   3. advancing; progressing.

      an industry on the move.

4. get a move on,

   1. to begin; act.

      We'd better get a move on before it rains.

   2. to hurry; hasten.

More idioms and phrases containing move

• get a move on
• mover
• on the move

Synonym Study

See advance. See motion.

Example Sentences

The rest of us are trying to move on.

From Salon

In another surprise move, he broke off from his speech to introduce Nadine Dorris, who defected to Reform on Thursday, to make a brief speech.

From BBC

Things are moving very fast at Downing Street, but this was a real surprise.

From BBC

Sources have indicated that the emphasis was on the club to present opportunities to Sterling given the clear intention to move him on during the transfer window.

From BBC

She said younger shoppers were moving more towards TikTok for their health and beauty products - but, Bodycare's administrators admitted, a move to online was something it struggled with.

From BBC

Related Words

• advance 
• blow 
• carry 
• change 
• climb 
• cross 
• drift 
• drive 
• flow 
• fly 
• go 
• jump 
• leave 
• migrate 
• proceed 
• progress 
• propel 
• push 
• relocate 
• remove