Move In Together: Meaning, Examples & Usage

Meaning 1：start living together (move in together)

move in together 🔊

/muːv ɪn təˈɡɛðər/

phr.v.

To start living in the same home with someone, often as a couple or close friends.

Couple moving in together unpacking boxes in new apartment

start living together 🔊

➕

/stɑːrt ˈlɪvɪŋ təˈɡɛðər/

phr.v.

To begin sharing a residence with another person, typically as romantic partners or close friends, combining households and daily life.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Phrasal verb: 'move' (change location) + 'in' (into a place) + 'together' (with each other).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine two puzzle pieces sliding into the same frame – 'move in together' means fitting your lives into one home.

📖 Example

After dating for a year, they decided to move in together to save money and spend more time with each other. 🔊 After dating for a year, they decided to start living together to save money and spend more time with each other.

🔗 Collocations

decide to move in together – make a mutual choice to cohabitate

plan to move in together – arrange the logistics of sharing a home

move in together after marriage – begin cohabitation following a wedding ceremony

🔄 Synonyms

cohabitate (v.) – To live together in a romantic or domestic partnership.

share a residence (phr.) – To occupy the same home with one or more people.

set up house together (phr.) – To establish a shared household, often used for couples.

🚫 Antonyms

live apart (phr.) – To maintain separate residences, not sharing a home.

break up (phr.v.) – To end a romantic relationship and cease living together.

move out (phr.v.) – To leave a shared home and establish a separate residence.

🌱 Derivatives

moving in together (gerund) – The act or process of starting to share a home.

move-in date (n.) – The specific day when one begins residing in a new shared home.

roommate (n.) – A person who shares a living space, though not necessarily romantic.

📖 Cultural Story

The phrase gained popularity in the mid-20th century alongside social shifts toward cohabitation before marriage, reflecting changing norms in Western relationships.