Move vs. Relocate — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 5, 2024
"Move" refers to the act of changing physical locations. Relocate implies a more permanent, often planned and significant transition, typically involving extensive logistical considerations.
Difference Between Move and Relocate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Move" generally indicates a change in position or place, which can be within a short distance or without significant planning, whereas "relocate" suggests a planned and often long-distance change, such as moving to a new city or country.
In everyday usage, a move can refer to shifting items within a space or changing residences locally, while relocation typically involves moving to a new home or office, especially across significant distances.
Moves can be temporary, such as moving furniture for a renovation, on the other hand, relocations are usually permanent, like transferring an employee to a new city.
The term "move" is often used in less formal contexts or when the change is relatively minor, whereas "relocation" is used in more formal contexts, often related to professional or corporate settings.
Moving can be a personal choice or a small-scale operation, whereas relocation often involves careful planning, professional services, and sometimes support from organizations or employers for a smoother transition.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Changing physical location, often locally or within a short range
Planned, significant move, usually long distance
Context
Can be informal or minor
Typically formal, involving major life changes
Duration
Can be temporary or permanent
Usually permanent
Planning
Minimal planning required
Extensive planning needed
Examples
Moving a piece of furniture, changing rooms
Moving to a new city for a job, emigrating
Compare with Definitions
Move
Often implies a physical change.
She plans to move her study desk to the living room for better light.
Relocate
Often involves careful logistical planning.
The relocation package included assistance with housing and schooling.
Move
Involves going from one place to another.
They decided to move to a bigger apartment within the same building.
Relocate
Typically used when moving over long distances.
Their relocation from New York to Los Angeles took months of preparation.
Move
Can be a simple action or a process.
The office move involved just transferring files and computers to the next floor.
Relocate
Generally entails a significant life change.
Their relocation to Germany was due to a new job opportunity.
Move
Sometimes used metaphorically.
This chess move could change the game’s outcome.
Relocate
Can imply adjusting to new environments.
Relocation often requires acclimating to a different culture.
Move
Can refer to small or large shifts.
The company's move to digital documents was completed quickly.
Relocate
Used in corporate and professional contexts.
The firm offers a comprehensive relocation service for its transferred employees.
Move
To change in position from one point to another
Moved away from the window.
Relocate
To move to or establish in a new place
Relocated the business.
Move
To follow a specified course
Earth moves around the sun.
Relocate
To become established in a new residence or place of business
Relocated in Ohio.
Move
To change posture or position; stir
Too scared to move.
Relocate
(transitive) to move (something) from one place to another.
We had to relocate the magazine rack because we bruised our shins on it too frequently when it was near the door.
Move
To start off; depart
After waiting for an hour, we decided it was time to move.
Relocate
(intransitive) to change one's domicile or place of business.
Alfred relocated to Colorado Springs to take advantage of the boom in the defense industry.
Move
(Games) To change position on a board in a board game.
Relocate
To locate again.
Move
To go from one residence or location to another; relocate
We moved to a new apartment.
Relocate
Become established in a new location;
Our company relocated to the Midwest
Move
(Linguistics) To be copied or moved by means of a movement transformation to a new position in syntactic structure.
Relocate
Move or establish in a new location;
We had to relocate the office because the rent was too high
Move
To progress in sequence; go forward
A novel that moves slowly.
Move
To progress toward a particular state or condition
Moving up in the company.
Move on to a new subject.
Move
To be disposed of by sale
Woolens move slowly in the summer.
Move
To be put in motion or to turn according to a prescribed motion. Used of machinery.
Move
To exhibit great activity or energy
Things were really moving backstage.
Move
To initiate an action; act
It's time to make a decision and move.
Move
To be active in a particular environment
Moves in diplomatic circles.
Move
To stir the emotions
Words that have the power to move.
Move
To make a formal motion in parliamentary procedure
Move for an adjournment.
Move
To evacuate. Used of the bowels.
Move
To change the place or position of
Moved the chair into the corner.
Could not move his arm.
Move
To cause to go from one place to another
Moved the crowd away.
Move
(Games) To change (a piece) from one position to another in a board game
Moved a pawn.
Move
To change the course of
Moved the discussion to other matters.
Move
To cause to progress or advance
Moved the research into new thinking.
Move
To dislodge from a fixed point of view, as by persuasion
"Speak to him, ladies, see if you can move him" (Shakespeare).
Move
To prompt to action; rouse
Anger moved her to speak out.
Move
To arouse the emotions of; affect or stir.
Move
To cause to function
This lever moves the elevator.
Move
To cause to progress or advance
Moved the project beyond conventional thinking.
Move
To propose or request in formal parliamentary procedure
Moved that a vote be taken.
Move
To make formal application to (a court, for example).
Move
To dispose of by sale
Moved the new merchandise quickly.
Move
To cause (the bowels) to evacuate.
Move
The act or an instance of moving.
Move
A particular manner of moving
Made some intricate moves on the dance floor.
Move
A change of residence or location.
Move
An act of transferring a piece from one position to another in board games.
Move
The prescribed manner in which a piece may be played.
Move
A participant's turn to make a play.
Move
An action taken to achieve an objective; a maneuver
A move to halt the arms race.
Move
(intransitive) To change place or posture; to go, in any manner, from one place or position to another.
A ship moves rapidly.
I was sitting on the sofa for a long time, feeling too lazy to move.
Move
(intransitive) To act; to take action; to begin to act
To move in a matter
Come on guys, let's move: there's work to do!
Move
(intransitive) To change residence, for example from one house, town, or state, to another; to go and live at another place. See also move out and move in.
I decided to move to the country for a more peaceful life.
They moved closer to work to cut down commuting time.
I'm moving next week but I don't have anything packed yet.
The rook moved from a8 to a6.
My opponent's counter was moving much quicker round the board than mine.
Move
To cause to change place or posture in any manner; to set in motion; to carry, convey, draw, or push from one place to another
The waves moved the boat up and down.
The horse moves a carriage.
Move
To transfer (a piece) from one space or position on the board to another.
She moved the queen closer to the centre of the board.
He rolled a 5 and moved his counter to Boardwalk, the most expensive property on the Monopoly board.
Move
(transitive) To excite to action by the presentation of motives; to rouse by representation, persuasion, or appeal; to influence.
This song moves me to dance.
Move
(transitive) To arouse the feelings or passions of; especially, to excite to tenderness or compassion, to excite (for example, an emotion).
That book really moved me.
Move
To propose; to recommend; specifically, to propose formally for consideration and determination, in a deliberative assembly; to submit
I move to repeal the rule regarding obligatory school uniform.
Move
To mention; to raise (a question); to suggest (a course of action); to lodge (a complaint).
Move
To incite, urge (someone to do something); to solicit (someone for or of an issue); to make a proposal to.
Move
To apply to, as for aid.
Move
To request an action from the court.
An attorney moved the court to issue a restraining order.
The district attorney moved for a non-suit.
Move
To bow or salute upon meeting.
Move
To sell or market (especially physical inventory or illicit drugs).
This business will fail if it can't move the inventory quickly.
Move
The act of moving; a movement.
A slight move of the tiller, and the boat will go off course.
Move
An act for the attainment of an object; a step in the execution of a plan or purpose.
He made another move towards becoming a naturalized citizen.
Move
A formalized or practiced action used in athletics, dance, physical exercise, self-defense, hand-to-hand combat, etc.
She always gets spontaneous applause for that one move.
He can win a match with that one move.
Move
The event of changing one's residence.
The move into my fiancé's house took two long days.
They were pleased about their move to the country.
Move
A change in strategy.
I am worried about our boss's move.
It was a smart move to bring on a tall striker to play against the smaller defenders.
Move
A transfer, a change from one employer to another.
Move
(board games) The act of moving a token on a gameboard from one position to another according to the rules of the game.
The best move of the game was when he sacrificed his rook in order to gain better possession.
It's your move! Roll the dice!
If you roll a six, you can make two moves.
Move
A round, in which each player has a turn.
You can win in three moves if you do that.
Move
To cause to change place or posture in any manner; to set in motion; to carry, convey, draw, or push from one place to another; to impel; to stir; as, the wind moves a vessel; the horse moves a carriage.
Move
To transfer (a piece or man) from one space or position to another on a playing board, according to the rules of the game; as, to move a king.
Move
To excite to action by the presentation of motives; to rouse by representation, persuasion, or appeal; to influence.
Minds desirous of revenge were not moved with gold.
No female arts his mind could move.
Move
To arouse the feelings or passions of; especially, to excite to tenderness or compassion; to touch pathetically; to excite, as an emotion.
When he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them.
[The use of images] in orations and poetry is to move pity or terror.
Move
To propose; to recommend; specifically, to propose formally for consideration and determination, in a deliberative assembly; to submit, as a resolution to be adopted; as, to move to adjourn.
Let me but move one question to your daughter.
They are to be blamed alike who move and who decline war upon particular respects.
Move
To apply to, as for aid.
Move
To change place or posture; to stir; to go, in any manner, from one place or position to another; as, a ship moves rapidly.
The foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth.
On the green bank I sat and listened long, . . . Nor till her lay was ended could I move.
Move
To act; to take action; to stir; to begin to act; as, to move in a matter.
Move
To change residence; to remove, as from one house, town, or state, to another.
Move
To change the place of a piece in accordance with the rules of the game.
Move
The act of moving; a movement.
Move
The act of moving one of the pieces, from one position to another, in the progress of the game; also, the opportunity or obligation to so move a piece; one's turn; as, you can only borrow from the bank in Monopoly when it's your move.
Move
An act for the attainment of an object; a step in the execution of a plan or purpose.
Move
The act of deciding to do something;
He didn't make a move to help
His first move was to hire a lawyer
Move
The act of changing your residence or place of business;
They say that three moves equal one fire
Move
A change of position that does not entail a change of location;
The reflex motion of his eyebrows revealed his surprise
Movement is a sign of life
An impatient move of his hand
Gastrointestinal motility
Move
The act of changing location from one place to another;
Police controlled the motion of the crowd
The movement of people from the farms to the cities
His move put him directly in my path
Move
(game) a player's turn to move a piece or take some other permitted action
Move
Change location; move, travel, or proceed;
How fast does your new car go?
We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus
The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect
The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell
Move
Cause to move, both in a concrete and in an abstract sense;
Move those boxes into the corner, please
I'm moving my money to another bank
The director moved more responsibilities onto his new assistant
Move
Move so as to change position, perform a nontranslational motion;
He moved his hand slightly to the right
Move
Change residence, affiliation, or place of employment;
We moved from Idaho to Nebraska
The basketball player moved from one team to another
Move
Follow a procedure or take a course;
We should go farther in this matter
She went through a lot of trouble
Go about the world in a certain manner
Messages must go through diplomatic channels
Move
Be in a state of action;
She is always moving
Move
Go or proceed from one point to another;
The debate moved from family values to the economy
Move
Perform an action, or work out or perform (an action);
Think before you act
We must move quickly
The governor should act on the new energy bill
The nanny acted quickly by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel
Move
Have an emotional or cognitive impact upon;
This child impressed me as unusually mature
This behavior struck me as odd
Move
Give an incentive for action;
This moved me to sacrifice my career
Move
Arouse sympathy or compassion in;
Her fate moved us all
Move
Dispose of by selling;
The chairman of the company told the salesmen to move the computers
Move
Progress by being changed;
The speech has to go through several more drafts
Run through your presentation before the meeting
Move
Live one's life in a specified environment;
She moves in certain circles only
Move
Have a turn; make one's move in a game;
Can I go now?
Move
Propose formally; in a debate or parliamentary meeting
Common Curiosities
How do companies support relocation?
Many provide relocation assistance, which can include financial aid, housing help, and other logistic support.
What is the primary difference between a move and a relocation?
A move can be temporary or minor, while a relocation is a more significant and planned transition.
Is relocation always international?
Not necessarily; it can also refer to domestic moves that are significant in nature.
Can a move turn into a relocation?
Yes, what starts as a temporary move can become a permanent relocation.
What might trigger a relocation?
Common triggers include career changes, educational opportunities, or significant life events.
What legal documents are required for international relocations?
Typically, visas, work permits, and sometimes medical and police clearance.
Why might someone prefer a temporary move over a relocation?
Temporary moves can be more flexible and require less commitment, suitable for short-term needs or exploratory purposes.
What should one consider before deciding to relocate?
Factors to consider include cost of living, cultural differences, employment opportunities, and personal goals.
Do moving companies offer services for both moves and relocations?
Yes, though the services might vary in scope based on the complexity of the move or relocation.
How can one prepare for a relocation?
Preparation can include researching the new location, arranging housing and schooling, and securing employment.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
