English Reference

Word

moment

Phoneticsmo·ment, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈmoʊmənt/

UK/mˈəʊmənt/

Definitions

01a short time

A1 · Beginner Countable noun

n. a very brief period of time.

n. a brief, typically unspecified interval of time.

“Wait just a moment while I find my keys in my bag.”

“The speaker paused for a moment to gather his thoughts before addressing the difficult question from the audience.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

02a specific point in time

A2 · Elementary Countable noun

n. a particular point in time when something happens.

n. a precise point in time, often associated with a specific event or realization.

“It was a great moment when the team finally won the trophy.”

“At that exact moment, the sun broke through the clouds, illuminating the valley just as the ceremony began.”

03importance

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal

n. the importance or value of an event or decision.

n. the quality of being important or significant; consequence.

“The decision to move to a new country was a matter of great moment.”

“The treaty was an agreement of such historical moment that it altered the geopolitical landscape for the next century.”

Antonyms

insignificancetriviality

04physics/mechanics

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Science Technical

n. a measure of the turning effect of a force.

n. the product of a physical quantity, such as force, and its distance from a reference point.

“The engineer calculated the bending moment to ensure the bridge was safe.”

“The structural integrity of the crane depends on balancing the moment of the load against the counterweight.”

Synonyms

05statistics

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Mathematics Technical

n. a number that describes the shape of a set of data.

n. a quantitative measure of the shape of a set of points or a probability distribution.

“The first moment of a distribution is simply the mean.”

“Higher-order moments, such as skewness and kurtosis, provide deeper insights into the asymmetry and peakedness of the data set.”

06social trend

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a time when someone or something is very popular or talked about.

n. a period of significant cultural relevance or peak popularity for a person or trend.

“Vinyl records are having a moment right now as more people buy them.”

“The young actress is truly having a moment, appearing on every major magazine cover this month.”

Synonyms

07characteristic behavior

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Slang · Informal

n. a typical or embarrassing way that a person acts.

n. an instance of behavior considered characteristic of a specific person or group, often used to describe a lapse in judgment.

“I forgot my own phone number—I guess I'm just having a moment.”

“The politician's confused response during the interview was quickly labeled a 'senior moment' by the local press.”

Synonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “moment” in context.

01. given moment

Etymology

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

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

NOUN

moment(A1)

Related words

Idioms

Domains

MathematicsPhysics

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 3
Frequency
Very common
Level
A1 · BeginnerOxford
Updated

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