Movement Verbs in English

Movement verbs are an essential part of any language, allowing you to describe how people and objects move and interact with their environment. The English language contains many different verbs, which are crucial for forming sentences. Learning these verbs in categories can be very useful. This reference has a list of movement verbs to help you talk about various types of movement.

Body Movement Verbs

• Bend
• Lift
• Carry
• Kneel
• Hold
• Sit
• Drag
• Jump
• Leap
• Pick up
• Punch
• Pull
• Dive
• Push
• Run
• Lean
• Squat
• Throw
• Tiptoe
• Walk
• Hit
• Catch
• Kick
• Kiss
• Clap
• Laugh
• Dance
• Break
• Stand
• Jog
• March
• Wave
• Talk
• Open
• Cartwheel
• Put down
• Stretch
• Drop
• Point
• Slip
• Trip
• Look
• Cry
• Lie down
• Pour
• Crawl

Movement Verbs Image 1

Body Movement Verbs with Pictures

Bend

To move the body or part of the body downwards or forwards.

• Example: She bends down to pick up the book from the floor.

 

Lift

To raise something or someone upwards.

• Example: He lifts the weights with ease.

Carry

To hold something and take it with you from one place to another.

• Example: She carries the groceries in her hands.

Kneel

To go down on one or both knees.

• Example: He kneels down to propose to his girlfriend.

Hold

To have something in your hand or arms.

• Example: She holds the baby in her arms.

Sit

To rest on a chair or surface with the back supported.

• Example: He sits at his desk to work.

Drag

To pull something along a surface.

• Example: She drags the suitcase behind her at the airport.

Jump

To propel oneself off the ground with both feet.

• Example: He jumps over the puddle on the sidewalk.

Leap

To jump a long distance.

• Example: The athlete leaps over the hurdle with ease.

Pick up

To lift something off the ground.

• Example: She picks up the pen from the table.

Punch

To strike with a closed fist.

• Example: He punches the bag at the gym.

Pull

To move something towards oneself.

• Example: She pulls the door open.

Dive

To jump into water headfirst.

• Example: He dives into the pool from the diving board.

Push

To move something away from oneself.

• Example: She pushes the shopping cart in the store.

Run

To move quickly on foot.

• Example: They run in the park every morning.

Lean

To rest one’s weight on something for support.

• Example: He leans against the wall to catch his breath.

Squat

To crouch down with the knees bent.

• Example: She squats to pick up the ball.

Throw

To propel something through the air.

• Example: He throws the ball to his friend.

Tiptoe

To walk quietly on the balls of one’s feet.

• Example: She tiptoes into the room so as not to wake anyone up.

Walk

To move at a moderate pace on foot.

• Example: They walk to the store to buy groceries.

Hit

To strike with force.

• Example: She hits the ball with the racket.

Catch

To receive and hold onto something that is thrown.

• Example: He catches the ball with one hand.

Kick

To strike with the foot.

• Example: She kicks the soccer ball into the goal.

Kiss

To touch one’s lips to another person or object.

• Example: They kiss each other goodbye before leaving for work.

Clap

To strike one’s hands together to make a sound.

• Example: The audience claps loudly after the performance.

Laugh

To make sounds with one’s mouth and throat in response to something funny.

• Example: They laugh at the comedian’s jokes.

Dance

To move rhythmically to music.

• Example: She dances with her partner at the wedding reception.

Break

To separate something into pieces.

• Example: He breaks the chocolate bar in half to share with his friend.

Stand

To be in an upright position on one’s feet.

• Example: They stand in line to buy tickets for the movie.

Jog

To run at a steady, moderate pace.

• Example: He jogs around the park every evening.

March

To walk in a steady, rhythmic manner.

• Example: They march in the parade with their school band.

Wave

To move one’s hand back and forth in greeting or farewell.

• Example: She waves goodbye to her friend as she leaves.

Talk

To communicate with words.

• Example: They talk about their day over dinner.

Open

To move something so that it is no longer closed.

• Example: She opens the door to let her cat in.

Cartwheel

To perform a gymnastic maneuver where the body rotates sideways while the hands touch the ground.

• Example: She cartwheels across the lawn in excitement.

Put down

To place something on a surface.

• Example: He puts down the book on the table.

Stretch

To extend one’s body or limbs to full length.

• Example: She stretches her arms before starting her workout.

Drop

To release something from one’s grasp.

• Example: He drops the ball by accident.

Point

To extend one’s finger or hand in a particular direction.

• Example: She points to the map to show the location.

Slip

To slide or lose one’s footing.

• Example: He slips on the wet floor and falls.

Trip

To stumble or fall due to one’s foot catching on something.

• Example: She trips over the curb while walking.

Look

To direct one’s gaze in a particular direction.

• Example: He looks at the view from the top of the mountain.

Cry

To shed tears due to strong emotions.

• Example: She cries at sad movies.

Lie down

To recline on a surface.

• Example: He lies down on the couch to take a nap.

Pour

To transfer a liquid from one container to another.

• Example: She pours the milk into her cereal bowl.

Crawl

To move on hands and knees.

• Example: The baby crawls across the room to reach his toy.