relocate

/ˌriːˈloʊkeɪt/

Say it: ree-LOH-kayt

1. verb To move to a new place to live or to establish a business.
My company asked me to relocate to the London office for two years.
2. verb To move something from one place to another.
They had to relocate the entire library collection to the new building.

📖 Seen in the wild

Many companies choose to relocate their headquarters to cities with lower operating costs.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ relocate in a sentence

Many coastal residents were forced to relocate further inland after the flood.
The tech startup decided to relocate its headquarters from Silicon Valley to Austin.
"Are you willing to relocate for this position?" the recruiter asked.
The government program helps refugees relocate and start new lives.
We had to temporarily relocate while our house was being renovated.
The museum will relocate the ancient statue to a more secure exhibit.
As a military family, we had to relocate every few years.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

move transfer resettle migrate shift transplant

move · a more common and general term; 'relocate' implies a more significant or official move.

transfer · often used when an organization directs the move, as in a job or military transfer.

resettle · suggests establishing a new, stable life, often after displacement or upheaval.

migrate · typically refers to the movement of large groups of people or animals between regions.

Opposites: stay, remain, stay put

🌱 Where it comes from

The word is a straightforward combination of the prefix 're-', meaning 'again', and the verb 'locate'. 'Locate' itself comes from the Latin 'locus', meaning 'place'. So, to relocate is literally 'to place again', a meaning that has been in use since the early 19th century.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

relocate to a new cityrelocate for a jobforced to relocaterelocate a businesswilling to relocate

'Relocate' is a more formal and weighty alternative to 'move'. It's best used for significant changes of location involving a home or business, often over a long distance. You would relocate your family for a new job, but you would simply move a chair to the other side of the room. Using 'relocate' for minor movements can sound overly formal or bureaucratic.

Word family: relocation, relocatable

💬 Quick answers

What does 'relocate' mean?

To relocate means to move to a new place, typically for living or work. It can refer to a person, a family, or an entire organization moving.

What is the difference between 'relocate' and 'move'?

'Move' is a general, common term for changing location. 'Relocate' is more formal and often implies a more significant, complex, or long-distance move, frequently for professional reasons.

Is 'relocate' a formal word?

Yes, 'relocate' is more formal than 'move'. It is often used in business, government, and other professional contexts.

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