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move to

A2 neutral inseparable both
In simple words

To go and start living in a new place, or to make someone feel something strongly.

Literal meaning: To go in the direction of a place — largely transparent.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To go and live in a different city, country, or location.

"They decided to move to the countryside after years of city life."

"We moved to America when I was two."

— Barack Obama, 'Dreams from My Father', 1995
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 idiomatic neutral

To cause someone to feel strong emotion, often sadness, sympathy, or admiration.

"The documentary moved many viewers to tears."

"I was moved to tears by the performance."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B2 idiomatic formal

To prompt or motivate someone to take a particular action.

"The crisis moved the government to act immediately."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

The emotional sense ('moved to tears') is commonly used in formal writing. The relocation sense is universal and very frequent in everyday speech.

Commonly used with

city country tears laughter action suburb

Forms

Base
move to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
moves to
he/she/it
Past simple
moved to
yesterday
Past participle
moved to
have + pp
-ing form
moving to
continuous

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Synonyms

relocate to transfer to settle in be stirred to be driven to migrate to

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