moment
moment — noun
1. a brief span that lasts only seconds or a few minutes — short enough that you ca
a brief span that lasts only seconds or a few minutes — short enough that you can sense it passing as you wait.
Bao waited a moment before answering his teacher's question.
quantifier: a moment + before + verb-ing
Could you hold the door open for just a moment, please?
for just a moment — polite request
The power went out for a moment, then the lights came back on.
Ada paused for a moment to catch her breath after running up the stairs.
paused for a moment to [infinitive of purpose]
There was a moment of silence before the crowd began to cheer.
a moment of [abstract noun]
- a moment
- for a moment
- in a moment
- moment of silence
- wait a moment
- pause a moment
Grammar Patterns
a moment
for a moment
moment + of + noun
Usage Note
Often used with quantifiers (a, one, a few) and prepositions (for, in, after). Can be modified by adjectives such as long, brief, or short.
Common Mistakes
2. a particular occasion or a specific time when something happens, is experienced,
a particular occasion or a specific time when something happens, is experienced, or matters to someone.
Shoko would always remember the moment when she first held her baby sister.
the moment when [relative clause] — memorable occasion
The moment when Ryo first saw the ocean was unforgettable.
the moment when [relative clause]
The Watanabe family knew from that moment on that their lives had changed forever.
from that moment on — starting point of a change
This is a proud moment for the whole team after months of hard work.
a [adjective] moment — describing the occasion
Ramón chose that moment to tell everyone the news about his promotion.
chose that moment to [infinitive] — deliberate timing
- from that moment on
- a proud moment
- the moment when
- choose the moment
- moment of truth
Grammar Patterns
the moment when/that
a [adjective] moment
from that moment on
the moment of
Usage Note
Can be followed by a relative clause with when, that, or no linker (e.g., 'the moment she walked in'). Also used in possessive phrases such as 'the proudest moment of my life'.
Common Mistakes
3. at this present time, now — used to describe what is happening or true right now
at this present time, now — used to describe what is happening or true right now, as you speak.
Eli is at the library at the moment, so he cannot come to the phone.
at the moment with present continuous
We have no job openings at the moment, but please check again next month.
At the moment, the garden is full of roses and lavender.
sentence-initial at the moment
Sorry, the manager is busy at the moment — can I take a message?
- at the moment
- busy at the moment
- at the moment + present continuous
Grammar Patterns
at the moment + present tense
at the moment + present continuous
Usage Note
Fixed phrase typically used in spoken English. In formal writing, 'currently' or 'at present' is preferred. British English uses this phrase more often than American English in everyday speech.
Common Mistakes
4. for a short period of time starting now, with the understanding that things may
for a short period of time starting now, with the understanding that things may change later — a way of describing a temporary situation or decision.
For the moment, Nala is staying with her cousin while her apartment is being painted.
for the moment — temporary arrangement
Let us put that aside for the moment and move on to the next topic.
put [something] aside for the moment — postpone
The rain has stopped for the moment, but more storms are expected tonight.
Andrew kept his old phone for the moment and saved up for a better one.
- for the moment
- leave/put aside for the moment
- for the moment + present simple
- for now
less formal, more common in everyday speech
- temporarily
more formal; focuses on the limited duration
- permanently
opposite in intention — forever, not temporarily
Grammar Patterns
for the moment + present tense
leave/put something for the moment
Usage Note
Often interchangeable with 'for now' in casual speech. The contrast with 'at the moment' is important: 'at the moment' states a present fact, while 'for the moment' emphasises that the situation is not permanent.
Common Mistakes
5. at that precise instant — used in storytelling to mark the instant when a dramat
at that precise instant — used in storytelling to mark the instant when a dramatic, important, or revealing event takes place, almost like a freeze-frame in a film.
At that moment, the phone rang and everyone turned to look.
at that moment — narrative specific reference point
Just at that moment, the door swung open and Christopher walked into the room.
just at that moment — narrative dramatic timing
At that moment, Élise realised she had left her keys in the car.
It was at that very moment that Aylin made her decision to move abroad.
at that very moment — emphasising exactness
The car began to slide, and at that moment Mauricio knew he had to move fast.
- at that moment
- just at that moment
- at that very moment
- at that precise moment
- at that instant
more precise and sudden; suggests an action without any delay
- then
simpler but less precise; does not carry the same dramatic weight
- at that point
slightly more detached and factual
Grammar Patterns
at that/this moment
at that very moment
just at that moment
Usage Note
Often used with 'just' or 'very' for emphasis. The past tense is the most common frame since this phrase typically appears in narratives about completed events.
6. great importance, influence, or significance — used in formal contexts to descri
great importance, influence, or significance — used in formal contexts to describe something that matters a great deal or has lasting consequences.
The discovery was a matter of great moment for the scientific community.
of great moment — formal expression of importance
The president's speech addressed issues of moment that affect every citizen.
issues of moment — important matters
This treaty is of great moment in the history of our two nations.
The judge reminded the jury that they were deciding a case of great moment.
- of moment
- of great moment
- of little moment
- a matter of moment
- significance
the closest synonym; used in a wider range of structures
- consequence
similar formality, often paired with 'of' ('of little consequence')
- weight
more figurative, suggesting burden or gravity
- triviality
the quality of being unimportant
- insignificance
lack of importance or worth
Grammar Patterns
of moment
of great/little moment
of no moment
Usage Note
Almost always used in the fixed phrases 'of moment', 'of great moment', or 'of little/no moment'. The bare noun in this sense does not appear outside these prepositional constructions. This is a formal, literary usage that is rare in everyday conversation.
Common Mistakes
at the moment
idiomnow, at this present time — used to describe current situations or activities.
I am afraid Dr. Okafor is not available at the moment; would you like to leave a message?
At the moment, the restaurant is closed for renovation and will reopen next week.
for the moment
idiomfor a short time now, with the understanding that this may change later.
We can stay here for the moment, but we will need to find a permanent place soon.
For the moment, the children are safe with their grandmother.
in a moment
idiomvery soon; after a very short period of time from now.
Please take a seat — the doctor will see you in a moment.
The train will be arriving in a moment, so please stand behind the yellow line.
at this or that exact point in time — used to refer to a specific, precise time, especially in storytelling.
At that moment, the fire alarm went off and everyone had to leave the building.
At this moment, the camera captured the exact expression on the winner's face.
of great moment
idiomvery important or significant — used in formal writing about matters of lasting consequence.
The Supreme Court is about to rule on a case of great moment for the entire country.
This is a decision of great moment, one that will shape policy for decades.
the moment (that)
idiomas soon as; immediately when something happens — used as a conjunction to connect two events that happen at almost the same time.
The moment the bell rang, the children ran out of the classroom.
Call me the moment you hear any news about the test results.
moment of truth
idiomthe critical moment when someone must face a challenge or learn the result of an important test or decision.
The moment of truth came when Diya opened the letter to see if she had been accepted.
The team had trained for months, and now the moment of truth had arrived on race day.
suddenly, without planning or preparation beforehand.
We decided to drive to the beach on the spur of the moment when we saw the sunny weather.
Her proposal was not planned — she made it on the spur of the moment during the meeting.
almost too late; at the very last moment before something bad would have happened.
The ambulance arrived not a moment too soon — the patient needed help immediately.
The rain started not a moment too soon; the crops were beginning to dry out.
to experience a period of being popular, successful, or noticed by others.
The old cassette tapes had their moment in the 1980s and 1990s before CDs took over.
Every young actor dreams of having their moment on the big stage.
used to ask someone to pause briefly or to indicate that you need a short time before doing something.
Wait a moment — I think I left my wallet in the car.
Just a moment, please; I need to check the schedule before I can answer you.
any moment now
idiomvery soon; expected to happen at any second.
The bus should be here any moment now — it is already five minutes late.
Any moment now, the results of the election will be announced on live television.
Very soon, at any time.
The train should arrive at any moment now.
Could the baby wake up at any moment?
With very little warning or time to prepare.
Maya can leave for a trip at a moment's notice.
The chef prepared a meal at short notice for the guests.
Now, at the present time.
At this moment in time, we have no further information.
Is the manager available at this moment in time?
be having a moment
idiomTo be popular for a short period, especially something not usually popular.
Vinyl records are having a moment among young people.
Is that old hairstyle really having a moment again?
For now; for a short time.
This room is fine for the moment, but we may need a bigger one.
For the present, let's focus on finishing this project.
To have short periods that are better or more interesting than others.
The movie was slow but it had its moments.
My job has its moments of excitement.
in the moment
idiomCompletely focused on what you are doing or experiencing right now.
When playing music, Sara tries to stay in the moment.
Are you fully in the moment during meditation?
Used to ask someone to wait for a short time.
Just a moment, please—I'll check the schedule.
Can you hold on just a second?
The latest possible time before an important event.
Diego finished his homework at the last minute.
Don't wait until the last moment to buy tickets.
As soon as something happens.
The moment the bell rings, students leave the classroom.
I knew she was the one the very moment I saw her.
the moment of truth
idiomA time when someone or something is tested or important decisions are made.
The moment of truth came when the pilot had to land the plane.
For the athlete, the race was the moment of truth.
not for a/one moment
idiomCertainly not; not at all.
I did not for one moment think he would lie.
Not for a moment did she believe the story.
of moment
idiomVery important.
This is a decision of great moment for the company.
The treaty was an event of moment in history.
of the moment
idiomFamous, important, and talked about a lot now.
That actor is the star of the moment in Hollywood.
What is the fashion trend of the moment?
The best time to do something for it to succeed.
He chose the psychological moment to ask for a raise.
Is now the psychological moment to launch the product?
To wait for a short time.
Wait a moment while I grab my coat.
Can you wait a second? I need to check something.
Word family
- momentaryadjectiveB2
- momentarilyadverbB2
- momentousadjectiveC1
- momentousnessnounC2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All five words describe a short period of time, but they differ in length and tone. A moment suggests a brief but noticeable pause — long enough to feel or count. An instant is even shorter, suggesting something that happens with no delay at all ('in an instant, the glass shattered'). A second is the most casual and conversational; people say 'wait a second' when they really mean a short moment, not exactly one second. A minute is often used loosely to mean a short but indefinite period, though it is technically longer than a moment ('I will be there in a minute'). A flash implies the fastest experience of all, like a brief burst of light. In everyday speech, moment and second are the most common choices. For example: 'Give me a moment to think' sounds calm and deliberate, while 'Give me a second' sounds more casual. 'In a flash, he was gone' suggests speed, not duration.
Common collocations
Phrases
Etymology
Moment comes from the Latin word momentum, which originally meant 'a moving force' or 'an impulse' (from movere, 'to move'). In Latin, momentum also developed the meaning 'a particle of time' — a tiny slice that 'moves' the clock forward. The word entered English through French (moment) in the 1300s, first referring to a very short period of time. By the 1500s, the 'importance' sense had also emerged: something of great moment is something that 'moves' or influences events.