move in

phrasal verb·3 senses·particle in

Usefulness

Meanings

1

Start living in a new home

Why “in”? A person, vehicle, message, or result reaches a place or becomes present there.

They moved in last week.
They started living here last week.
A new family moved in next door.
A new family started living next door.
The new neighbours moved in last weekend.
The new neighbours started living there last weekend.
2

Approach in order to take action or attack

Police moved in at dawn.
Police approached and intervened at dawn.
Security moved in when the fight started.
Security approached and intervened when the fight started.
3

Start sharing a home with a romantic partner

Maya moved in with her partner after they found a flat they both liked.
Maya started sharing a home with her partner.
They moved in together last summer, but they are not married.
They began sharing a home as a couple last summer.

Don't confuse with

move inmove out

Move in means start living in a new home. Move out means leave a residence.

move inmove on

Move in means start living in a new home. Move on means change to a new topic, place or job.

Test yourself

They moved in last week. What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

Tell it apart

Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “move in”.

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