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moment

n. countable
A1 Beginner Oxford US //ˈmoʊmənt// UK //mˈəʊmənt// mo·ment Archaic General-service Informal

n. a very short period of time. You use it to talk about right now or a specific point in time.

n. an infinitesimal or brief period of time; a specific point in time. Often used with a definite article to indicate the present or a particular occasion.


SIMPLE

Wait a moment while I find my keys.

CONTEXTUAL

The actor paused for a moment to remember his next line before continuing the scene.

COMPLEX

Historians often look back at that specific moment as the turning point when public opinion shifted irrevocably against the government's proposed policy.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English moment, from Old French moment, from Latin mōmentum. Doublet of momentum and movement.

Usage

Commonly used in prepositional phrases like 'at the moment' or 'for a moment'.

Pitfall

I am busy in this momentI am busy at the momentWhen referring to the present time, the correct preposition is 'at', not 'in'.

Idioms11 entries

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