moon
/muːn/ IELTSAcademic
noun
The natural satellite that moves around the Earth. It shines by reflecting sunlight, not by making its own light.
- The moon was bright last night.
- We saw the moon above the trees.
verb
To move in a dreamy way, or to spend time looking at something instead of working. In informal British English, it can also mean to expose one's bottom as a joke or protest.
- She was mooning out the window.
- Don't moon around and start working.
Adinary Nuance
Moon is the natural object in the sky, not a general word for light or night. In writing, it is more specific than satellite and more everyday than lunar body. As a verb, it is very different from daydream or gaze because it suggests idle, dreamy, or playful behaviour.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- mặt trăng
- Spanish
- luna
- Chinese
- 月亮
- Japanese
- 月
- Korean
- 달
Etymology
Old English mōna, from Proto-Germanic *mēnô. The word is very old in English and has kept its basic meaning for centuries.
Common phrases
full moonnew moonmoonlightmoon phase
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is moon a formal word in academic writing?
- Yes. It is the normal word in science and everyday English.
- What is the difference between moon and satellite?
- Moon is the everyday word for Earth's natural satellite. Satellite is broader and can also mean artificial objects in space.
- Can moon be used as a verb?
- Yes. It can mean to act dreamy or absent-minded. In some places, it has a rude joking meaning.