occupy

/ˈɑːkjəpaɪ/

Say it: OK-yuh-pye

1. verb To reside or have one's place of business in a property; to live in or use a space.
The family has occupied that same apartment for three generations.
2. verb To fill or take up a space, time, or a position.
Preparing for the exam will occupy most of your evenings for the next month.
3. verb To take control of a place, especially a country or city, by military force.
The army was ordered to occupy the strategic border town.
4. verb To hold a particular job, role, or position of responsibility.
She currently occupies the role of Chief Technology Officer.

📖 Seen in the wild

The new furniture will occupy most of the living room.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ occupy in a sentence

The guest bedroom is currently occupied by my visiting cousin.
Fears about the future began to occupy his thoughts.
The company occupies three floors of the downtown skyscraper.
According to the treaty, the invading forces had to withdraw and cease to occupy the territory.
Could you move your coat? It's occupying the only empty chair.
He was the first person without a law degree to occupy that judicial position.
The children were occupied with a new set of building blocks for hours.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

inhabit fill seize hold take up reside in engage conquer

inhabit · suggests a more permanent, settled state of living in a place.

fill · often used for time, space, or roles in a more abstract or complete way.

seize · implies a sudden, forceful, and often violent taking of control.

hold · commonly used for jobs or positions, emphasizing the responsibility involved.

Opposites: vacate, abandon, empty, surrender, relinquish

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'occupy' arrived in English from Old French, which inherited it from the Latin 'occupare,' meaning 'to take possession of' or 'seize.' This Latin root is a combination of 'ob' (on or over) and 'capere' (to seize). This original sense of forceful taking is still very present in its military meaning, but the word has broadened to include more neutral ideas of simply filling a space or time.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

occupy a positionoccupy a territoryoccupy someone's timeoccupy a spaceillegally occupyfully occupied

While 'occupy' is a versatile word, it often carries a more formal tone than its simpler synonyms. In casual conversation, you are more likely to say you 'live in' a house than 'occupy' it, or that a task 'takes up' your time. The military sense of 'occupy' carries a strong negative connotation of a hostile takeover. Be mindful of this when using the word in political or historical contexts.

Word family: occupant, occupation, occupier, occupational, preoccupied

💬 Quick answers

What does 'occupy' mean in simple terms?

It means to fill, use, or hold a space, time, or position. This can be as simple as sitting in a chair or as complex as a military takeover of a country.

What is the difference between 'occupy' and 'inhabit'?

'Inhabit' specifically means to live in a place as a home. 'Occupy' is much broader and can refer to being in a space temporarily, filling time, holding a job, or military control.

Is 'occupy' a negative word?

Its connotation depends entirely on context. When a military force occupies a country, it is strongly negative. In most other uses, such as occupying a seat or a role, the word is neutral.

What does it mean to 'occupy your mind'?

This phrase means that a particular thought, worry, or idea is taking up all of your attention. It suggests you are thinking about it constantly.

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