Word
occupy
Phoneticsoc·cu·py, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɑkjəˌpaɪ/
UK/ˈɒkjʊpˌaɪ/
Definitions
01to live in or use a space
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to live in a house or use a room or building.
v. to reside in or use a physical space, such as a building or room, for a specific purpose.
“The family has occupied this farmhouse for over three generations.”
“The administrative staff occupied the third floor of the building while the lower levels underwent extensive structural renovations.”
Usage
Often used in the passive voice when describing whether a room is being used.
02to keep busy
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to keep someone busy or to fill your time with an activity.
v. to engage the attention or time of a person; to keep someone busy with a task or thought.
“She occupied herself with a crossword puzzle while waiting for the train.”
“During the long winter months, the villagers occupied themselves with traditional crafts and storytelling to pass the time.”
Usage
Commonly used in the reflexive form 'occupy oneself with'.
03military takeover
B2 · Upper Intermediate Law Formal
v. to take control of a town or country by using force, especially during a war.
v. to take and maintain control of a place or territory by military force.
“The army moved in to occupy the capital city after the government fled.”
“International observers monitored the border closely after foreign troops began to occupy the disputed territory in direct violation of the peace treaty.”
Usage
Usually takes a direct object representing the territory or city.
04to hold a position
C1 · Advanced Academic · Formal
v. to have a particular job or position in an organisation.
v. to hold a specific office, role, or position within a hierarchy.
Español:ocupar
“He has occupied the position of CEO for nearly ten years.”
“The candidate who eventually occupies the chair of the department must demonstrate both academic excellence and administrative prowess.”
Usage
Typically used with high-level professional or political roles.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “occupy” in context.
Verb
01. occupy role
“She was the first woman to occupy the role of managing director at the firm.”
verb + noun
Real-World Examples
“Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967.” “They are still occupying the home of his neighbour Yousef Hassan, who is staying with Ridi.” Etymology
From Middle English occupien, occupyen, borrowed from Old French occuper, from Latin occupāre (“to take possession of, seize, occupy, take up, employ”), from ob (“to, on”) + capiō (“to take”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *kap- (“to seize, grab”). Doublet of occupate, now obsolete.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/occupy
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0