1 A2 neutral
To begin living in a new home or place of residence.
"We're moving in next Saturday — do you want to help us carry the boxes?"
move in
A2 neutral intransitive
To start living in a new home or place; also to move closer to something or someone, especially in order to take action.
In plain English
Start living in a new house or flat, or get closer to something, ready to act.
What does "move in" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To begin sharing a home with a partner or others.
"They decided to move in together after dating for two years."
3 B2 neutral
To advance or move closer in order to take action, often said of police, soldiers, or predators.
"The officers received the signal and moved in to make the arrest."
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To come inside or into a new space — largely transparent.
Actually means
Start living in a new house or flat, or get closer to something, ready to act.
Usage tip
Very common. 'Move in together' describes a couple starting to share a home. In a tactical or threatening sense, 'move in on' is the more precise form, but 'move in' alone is used by police or military to begin an operation.
Words that pair with "move in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
flat together new house police troops neighbours
How to conjugate "move in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
move in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
moves in
he/she/it
Past simple
moved in
yesterday
Past participle
moved in
have + pp
-ing form
moving in
continuous
Hear "move in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "move in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.