Move
/muːv/
Definitions
5 meaningsTo change physical location or position.
/muːv/
To change position or location
She moved her chair closer to the table.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing with a toy car. When you push the car from one place to another, that's moving! Like, 'Can you move the cookies closer?'
👶 For kids: To go from one place to another.
More Examples
The train is moving quickly.
He moved the chess piece.
How It's Used
"Please move your car."
"The player moved the ball down the field."
"We need to move the furniture to the new house."
To cause something or someone to change their location or position.
/muːv/
To cause to change position or location
He moved the books to the shelf.
💡 Simply: When you help someone or something go from one place to another, that's also moving! For example, 'Can you help me move the plants?'
👶 For kids: To help something go from one place to another.
More Examples
She moved the lever to start the machine.
Can you help me move the sofa?
How It's Used
"She moved the boxes into the storage room."
"It's your turn to move the bishop."
To change one's permanent residence or place of business.
/muːv/
To change one's residence or place of business.
We're moving to a new apartment next month.
💡 Simply: When a family changes homes or a company changes its office, that's also moving! Like, 'We're moving to a bigger house next month!'
👶 For kids: To change where you live.
More Examples
The company is moving its operations overseas.
They moved to the countryside to be closer to nature.
How It's Used
"They decided to move to a new city."
"The company is moving its headquarters to a new location."
An action or instance of changing position or location.
/muːv/
An act of changing position or location
Her first move was to open the door.
💡 Simply: A move is a single act of changing position, like in a game of chess or in a dance! For example, 'It's my turn to make a move in this game!'
👶 For kids: When you go from one place to another, or change something.
More Examples
The next move is to secure the perimeter.
That was a smart move in the negotiation.
How It's Used
"It's your move in the chess game."
"That was a skillful move by the forward."
A calculated or strategic action, often with emotional or societal impact.
/muːv/
An emotional or strategic action
Making the deal was a smart move.
💡 Simply: Sometimes a 'move' is a smart decision or action, not just moving a physical thing. For example, 'It was a good move to invest in that company!'
👶 For kids: A good choice.
More Examples
That was a risky move, but it paid off.
The company's move to expand its market share was successful.
How It's Used
"It was a strategic move to acquire the smaller company."
"It was a bold move to quit her job and start her own business."
Idioms & expressions
move on
To proceed to the next subject or activity.
"Let's move on to the next topic."
move in
To begin living in a new home or apartment.
"They are moving in next week."
move out
To stop living in a home or apartment.
"They moved out last month."
move heaven and earth
To make a great effort to achieve something.
"I will move heaven and earth to help you."
From Middle English *moven*, from Old French *mover* ('to move'), from Vulgar Latin *movere*, from Latin *movere* ('to move').
Used since the 13th century, evolving from its origins to describe physical changes and later, more abstract concepts.