moving

UK: /ˈmuːvɪŋ/ US: /ˈmuvɪŋ/ ,(mo̅o̅′ving)

From the verb move: (⇒ conjugate)

moving is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

mov•ing /ˈmuvɪŋ/   adj. 

1. [before a noun] capable of or having motion:
   A moving body tends to stay in motion.
2. involving a motor vehicle in motion:
   [before a noun] If you receive another moving violation, you'll lose your license.
3. causing or stirring strong emotions or feelings:
   a moving, powerful performance.
mov•ing•ly, adv. 
: She spoke movingly about the refugees.
See -mov-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

mov•ing  (mo̅o̅′ving), adj. 

1. capable of or having movement:
   a moving object.
2. causing or producing motion.
3. involved in changing the location of possessions, a residence, office, etc.:
   moving expenses.
4. involving a motor vehicle in motion.
5. actuating, instigating, or impelling:
   the moving spirit behind the party.
6. stirring or evoking strong feelings or emotions, esp. touchingly or pathetically:
   a moving story.

• Middle English meving. See move, -ing² 1300–50

mov′ing•ly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 6. touching, affecting, pathetic, poignant.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

moving / ˈmuːvɪŋ/ adjective

1. arousing or touching the emotions
2. changing or capable of changing position
3. causing motion

ˈmovingly adverb

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

move /muv/   v., moved, mov•ing, n. 
v. 

1. to (cause to) pass from one position to another;
   to change one's place: [no object]
   She fell down and didn't move.
   [~ + object]
   Can you move some books off your desk?
2. to (cause to) change the place where one lives or does business;
   relocate: [no object]
   She moved to Illinois.
   [~ + object]
   The company moved him to Dallas.
3. to (cause to) progress: [no object]
   Work on the project is moving well.
   [~ + object]
   The coach really moved his team ahead.
4. to have a regular motion, as a part of a machine:
   [no object] The clock doesn't move.
5. to sell or be sold: [no object]
   Sales show that the new minivans are moving well.
   [~ + object]
   The car dealer had to move all of last year's models.
6. to start off or leave:
   [no object] I think we'd better be moving.
7. Chess to transfer a piece in a game, as chess: [no object]
   Whenever she moved, she always captured one of my pieces.
   [~ + object]
   He moved the piece slowly forward and said, "Checkmate.''
8. Physiology (of the bowels) to (cause to) discharge the feces: [no object]
   His bowels wouldn't move unless he took a laxative.
   [~ + object]
   He couldn't move his bowels without taking a laxative.
9. to be active in a particular area:
   [no object] She moves in the best circles of society.
10. to cause (someone) to do some action:
    [~ + object + to + verb] Curiosity moved me to open the box.
11. to affect (someone) with tender emotion or feeling;
    to arouse or touch: [~ + object]
    I was moved by your troubles, so I decided to help you.
    [~ + object + to + object]
    Her words moved me to anger.
12. to propose (a motion, etc.) formally, as to a court or judge: [~ + (that) clause]
    I move (that) we all get big raises.
    [no object]
    He moved for adjournment.
    [~ + object]
    The proposal was moved and seconded.
13. move along, to move from one place to another: [no object]
    The police urged the crowd to move along.
    [~ + object + along]
    The police moved the demonstrators along.
14. move in, [no object]
    • to begin to occupy a place, esp. by bringing in one's possessions:
      You can move in any time after September 1st.
    • to move toward, often in preparation for an attack:
      The troops quickly moved in opposite the demonstrators.
15. move in on, [~ + in + on + object] to make threatening and aggressive movements or actions toward:
    If the giant computer companies move in on our market, we'll be in big trouble.
16. move off, [no object] to move away from;
    to depart:
    The enemy troops moved off when the fighter planes came.
17. move on:
    • [~ + on + object] to attack as a military target.
    • [no object] to begin action on something new:
      We've debated this for hours; it's time to move on.
    • to leave a position or place: [no object]
      He moved on to another job.
      [~ + object + on]
      The police moved the demonstrators on.
18. move over, [no object] to shift to a nearby place, as to make room for another:
    Could you please move over; I need to reach my seat.
19. move up, to (cause to) advance to a higher level: [no object]
    She moved up quickly in the company.
    [~ + object + up]
    His father moved him up quickly through the ranks.

n. [countable]

20. an act or instance of moving;
    movement:
    stood still and didn't make a move.
21. a change of location or residence:
    to make a move to Los Angeles.
22. an action toward an objective or goal;
    step:
    He made several moves to take over the company.
23. Chess (in chess, etc.) a player's right or turn to make a play:
    It's your move.

Idioms

24. Idioms, Informal Terms get a move on, [no object] [Informal.] to hasten to act;
    hurry up:
    Get a move on or we'll be late!
25. Idioms move heaven and earth, to do everything in one's power to bring something about.
26. Idioms on the move:
    • busy;
      active.
    • going from place to place:
      We were always on the move in those days because Mom was transferred so often.
    • advancing;
      progressing:
      young executives on the move.

See -mov-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

move  (mo̅o̅v), v., moved, mov•ing, n. 
v.i. 

1. to pass from one place or position to another.
2. to go from one place of residence to another:
   They moved from Tennessee to Texas.
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.
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. Chess to transfer a piece in a game, as chess or checkers.
8. Physiology (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.

v.t. 

12. to change from one place or position to another.
13. to set or keep in motion.
14. to prompt, actuate, or impel to some action:
    What moved you to do this?
15. to arouse or excite the feelings or passions of;
    affect with emotion (usually fol. by to):
    to move someone to anger.
16. to affect with tender or compassionate emotion;
    touch:
    The tale of tragedy moved her.
17. Chess to transfer (a piece in a game) from one position to another.
18. to dispose of (goods) by sale.
19. Physiology to cause (the bowels) to discharge or eject the feces.
20. to propose formally, as to a court or judge, or for consideration by a deliberative assembly.
21. to submit a formal request or proposal to (a court, a sovereign, etc.).
22. move in, to begin to occupy a place in which to live or work.
23. Informal Terms move in on:
    • to approach or make advances toward usurping another's success, authority, position, or the like.
    • to take aggressive steps to control or possess:
      The company has not yet moved in on the consumer market.
24. move on, to approach or attack as a military target:
    The army is moving on the capital itself.
25. 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.
26. move over, to change or cause to change to another position, esp. to make room for another:
    to make space by moving over.
27. move up, to advance to a higher level.

n. 

28. an act or instance of moving;
    movement.
29. a change of location or residence.
30. an action toward an objective or goal;
    step:
    a move toward a higher tax.
31. Chess (in chess, checkers, etc.) a player's right or turn to make a play.
32. a play or maneuver, as in a game or sport.
33. Idioms, Informal Terms get a move on, [Informal.]
    • to begin;
      act:
      We'd better get a move on before it rains.
    • to hurry;
      hasten.
34. Idioms, Informal Terms make one's move, [Informal.] to act, esp. to assert oneself at an opportune time.
35. Idioms on the move:
    • busy;
      active:
      on the move from morning till night.
    • going from place to place:
      Infantry units have been on the move all day.
    • advancing;
      progressing:
      an industry on the move.
36. Idioms, Slang Terms put moves on, [Slang.] to make sexual advances toward. Also, make a move on. 

• Anglo-French mover Latin movēre
• Middle English meven, moven 1200–50

Synonyms

• 1. stir, budge. See advance. 
• 2. remove.
• 4. spin, gyrate, rotate, operate.
• 12. shift, transfer; propel.
• 13. agitate.
• 14. influence, induce, incite, instigate, lead.
• 28. See motion. 

Antonyms

• 12. fix.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

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. (intransitive) (of machines, etc) to work or operate
5. (transitive) to cause (to do something); prompt
6. (intransitive) to begin to act: move soon or we'll lose the order
7. (intransitive) to associate oneself with a specified social circle: to move in exalted spheres
8. (intransitive) to make progress
9. (transitive) 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. (intransitive) (of merchandise) to be disposed of by being bought
12. when tr, often takes a clause as object; when intr, often followed by for: to suggest (a proposal) formally, as in debating or parliamentary procedure
13. (intr; usually followed 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

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. (in board games) a player's turn to move his or her piece or take other permitted action
5. a permitted manoeuvre of a piece
6. get a move on ⇒ to get started
7. to hurry up
8. on the move ⇒ travelling from place to place
9. advancing; succeeding
10. very active; busy

Etymology: 13th Century: from Anglo-French mover, from Latin movēre