move
11 synonyms and 0 antonyms for move, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To change position or location.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use move
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French mover, ultimately from Latin movēre, "to move." It largely replaced the older native English word "stir" in this sense.
Full origin of move →Frequently asked questions
What does “move” mean?
The word “move” means to change position or location. In plain terms, to change place, change residence, cause emotion, or propose something formally — plus the noun for any of those actions.
How do you pronounce “move”?
“Move” is pronounced moov (/muːv/ in IPA).
How do you use “move” in a sentence?
Here is “move” used in a sentence: “Please move your car — it's blocking the driveway.”
What is another word for “move”?
Words with a similar meaning to “move” include budge, interchange, rearrange, redistribute, relocate and shift.
What part of speech is “move”?
Depending on how it is used, “move” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “move” come from?
The word “move” comes from Latin. From Old French mover, ultimately from Latin movēre, "to move." It largely replaced the older native English word "stir" in this sense.
Is “move” a common word?
“Move” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “move” have?
“Move” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to change position or location.
What is the difference between 'move' and 'motion'?
Move is usually a verb - the act of changing position ('please move your car'). Motion is the noun naming that change ('the motion of the waves'). You move something, and the result is its motion. Move can also be a noun, as in 'a smart move,' but motion is rarely a verb.
What does it mean to 'move' someone emotionally?
Besides changing position, 'move' can mean to stir strong feelings. A moving film or speech touches the heart and may bring tears. In this sense, being 'moved' means being emotionally affected - your feelings shift, even though your body stays perfectly still.
What is the difference between 'move' and 'relocate'?
Both mean to change location, but relocate is more formal and specific - it usually means moving a home, business, or job to a new area. You can move a cup across a table, but you relocate to another city. Move is the broad, everyday word; relocate suggests a bigger, more permanent shift.
What are some other meanings of 'move'?
'Move' is versatile. It can mean to take action ('let's move on this plan'), to propose formally in a meeting ('I move that we vote'), to change home, or to make progress ('things are moving quickly'). All share the core idea of changing from one state or place to another.