maneuverable

UK: /məˈnuːvərəb^əl/ US: /məˈnuvərəbəl/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ma•neu•ver•a•ble /məˈnuvərəbəl/  adj. 

1. that can be maneuvered:
   a maneuverable car that is easy to park in tight spaces.
ma•neu•ver•a•bil•i•ty /məˌnuvərəˈbɪlɪti/  n. 
[uncountable] Maneuverability has been improved with the new steering mechanism.
See -man-¹.

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ma•neu•ver /məˈnuvɚ/   n. 

[countable]
1. a planned movement of troops, warships, etc.
2. Military maneuvers, [plural] a series of military exercises used as practice for war:
   The troops are out on maneuvers.
3. a clever or skillful movement, action, or trick;
   a crafty tactic;
   a ploy:
   another maneuver to gain control of the company.

v. 

4. Military to move or change the position of by a maneuver: [~ + object]
   She maneuvered the truck around the fallen tree.
   [no object]
   He maneuvered out of the way of the fallen tree.
5. to scheme;
   make a plot;
   intrigue:
   [no object] He maneuvered for the job for a year.

Also,[esp. Brit.,] manoeuvre. See -man-¹.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ma•neu•ver  (mə no̅o̅′vər), n., v., -vered, -ver•ing. 
n. 

1. a planned and regulated movement or evolution of troops, warships, etc.
2. Military maneuvers, a series of tactical exercises usually carried out in the field by large bodies of troops in simulating the conditions of war.
3. an act or instance of changing the direction of a moving ship, vehicle, etc., as required.
4. an adroit move, skillful proceeding, etc., esp. as characterized by craftiness;
   ploy:
   political maneuvers.

v.t. 

5. Military to change the position of (troops, ships, etc.) by a maneuver.
6. to bring, put, drive, or make by maneuvers:
   He maneuvered his way into the confidence of the enemy.
7. to manipulate or manage with skill or adroitness:
   to maneuver a conversation.
8. to steer in various directions as required.

v.i. 

9. to perform a maneuver or maneuvers.
10. to scheme;
    intrigue.

Also,[esp. Brit.,] manoeuvre. 

• Middle French, as above
• Latin manū operāre to do handwork, equivalent. to manū (ablative of manus hand) + operāre to work (see operate); replacing earlier maanorre manual labor
• French manoeuvre, Middle French manuevre handwork, derivative of Old French manuvrer
• 1470–80 for an earlier sense; 1750–60 for current noun, nominal sense;

ma•neu′ver•a•ble, adj. 
ma•neu′ver•a•bil′i•ty, n. 
ma•neu′ver•er, n. 
Synonyms

• 4. stratagem, tactic, ruse, artifice; procedure, scheme, plot, plan.
• 6. scheme, contrive, intrigue.
• 7. handle, finesse.
• 10. plot, plan.