relocate
ree-LOH-kayt
/ˌriːˈloʊkeɪt/
To move to a new place and establish one's home or business there.
Implies a permanent or long-term change of location, often associated with career changes or corporate decisions, rather than a casual or temporary move.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'locare' (to place), with the prefix 're-' (again). It literally means to place yourself or your business in a new spot, reflecting the systematic nature of modern migration.
Word relationships
- resettle: Resettle often implies moving to a completely new region or country, sometimes under difficult circumstances, whereas relocate is more neutral and professional.
- move: Move is the general, everyday term, while relocate sounds more formal and systematic.
- remain: To stay in the same place rather than moving to a new one.
- settle: To establish a permanent home, emphasizing staying put rather than the act of moving.
Commonly confused with
- dislocate: Dislocate means to put something out of its proper position (like a joint), whereas relocate means to establish something in a new position.
Word family
- relocation (noun): The action of moving to a new place.
- relocated (adjective): Having been moved to a new place.
Collocations
- relocate to
- relocate headquarters
- temporarily relocate
- relocate permanently
Example sentences
- "The company decided to relocate its headquarters to Chicago to be closer to its primary market." Corporate relocation
- "He had to relocate his entire life, leaving behind the only town he had ever known." Personal life transition
Memory hook
Think of 're-locating' as 're-localizing' yourself in a new 'location'. Find a new location to relocate.
When not to use
Do not use for short-term stays, vacations, or simply walking to a different room.
Fun facts
- The term 'relocate' was heavily popularized in the mid-20th century by corporations moving employees across states.
Explore more words
settle, migration, migrate, resettlement, immigrate, transplant
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