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Movement and Flow Vocabulary Words – Online Spelling Bee

Vocabulary Lists  >  Movement and Flow  >  Movement and Flow  >  Spelling Bee

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Learn how to spell Movement and Flow vocabulary words with this 70-word English spelling bee. Listen to a word (click the speaker), then try to spell it — or click Show 4 Spelling Options and pick the correct option. Track your progress with red/green feedback to quickly identify areas for improvement.

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How to pronounce actuate (audio)

To cause or trigger a device, mechanism, or system to operate or move.

actuate

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Complete Spelling List for Movement and Flow with Part of Speech, IPA, Definitions, Examples, & Etymology

Spell: actuate (verb) /ˈaktʃʊeɪt/
Definition: To cause or trigger a device, mechanism, or system to operate or move.
Example Sentence: "A sensor will actuate the lights when motion is detected."
Word origin: The verb 'actuate' has its etymological origins in Latin.

Spell: alight (verb) /əˈlaɪt/
Definition: To descend or dismount from a vehicle, such as a bus, train, or airplane.
Example Sentence: "The bird is about to alight on the branch."
Word origin: The verb 'alight' has its etymological roots in Old English.

Spell: ascend (verb) /əˈsɛnd/
Definition: To move upward or rise to a higher position or level, often in a physical or metaphorical sense.
Example Sentence: "The climbers will ascend the mountain early tomorrow morning."
Word origin: The verb 'ascend' has its etymological roots in Latin.

Spell: billow (verb) /ˈbɪləʊ/
Definition: To surge or swell outward in a large, rolling mass, often as a result of the forces of wind, heat, or movement.
Example Sentence: "The sails of the ship billow as it glides across the open sea."
Word origin: The verb 'billow' has its etymological roots in Old English.

Spell: bolt (verb) /boʊlt/
Definition: To run or move away suddenly and quickly, often with great speed.
Example Sentence: "I saw the cat bolt after it got a whiff of the dog's presence, swift and silent."
Word origin: The verb 'bolt' in the sense of running or moving away suddenly and quickly, often with great speed, has a rich etymology.

Spell: brisk (adjective) /brɪsk/
Definition: Quick, energetic, and lively in nature.
Example Sentence: "The cashier provided brisk service, ensuring customers had a quick checkout."
Word origin: The adjective 'brisk,' meaning quick, energetic, and lively in nature, has an intriguing etymology.

Spell: camber (noun) /ˈkambə/
Definition: The curvature of a road, track, or other surface that slopes slightly upwards towards the center.
Example Sentence: "The racetrack's camber enhances vehicle stability in turns."
Word origin: The noun 'camber' has its etymological roots in Old Norse.

Spell: canter (noun) /ˈkantə/
Definition: A three-beat gait of a horse, typically slower than a gallop but faster than a trot.
Example Sentence: "He began to canter around the ring with ease."
Word origin: The noun 'canter' has its etymological origins in Old French.

Spell: careen (verb) /kəˈriːn/
Definition: To tilt, sway, or lurch to one side, typically in an uncontrolled manner.
Example Sentence: "If you careen around the corner too fast, you might lose control of the car."
Word origin: The verb 'careen' has its etymological origins in the French word 'carène,' which referred to the keel of a ship.

Spell: circulate (verb) /ˈsɜr kyəˌleɪt/
Definition: To move or flow in a circular or continuous pattern.
Example Sentence: "The air conditioner helps circulate cool air throughout the room."
Word origin: The verb 'circulate' has its etymological roots in Latin.

Spell: clamber (verb) /ˈklambə/
Definition: To climb or move in a laborious and often awkward manner, typically using one's hands and feet to ascend or traverse a steep or uneven surface.
Example Sentence: "If you clamber onto that rock, you'll have a perfect view of the valley."
Word origin: The verb 'clamber' has its etymological roots in Middle English.

Spell: contort (verb) /kənˈtɔrt/
Definition: To twist, distort, or deform something, typically an object, body part, or idea, in a way that deviates from its natural or expected shape or arrangement.
Example Sentence: "Did you see how they contort their faces to mimic cartoons?"
Word origin: The verb 'contort' has its etymological origins in Latin.

Spell: convulse (verb) /kənˈvʌls/
Definition: To suddenly and violently move in an involuntary and uncontrollable manner.
Example Sentence: "His body began to convulse with laughter at the joke."
Word origin: The verb 'convulse' has its etymological roots in Latin.

Spell: cross (verb) /krɔs, krɒs/
Definition: To move from one side to another, often involving the act of traversing a physical boundary or obstacle.
Example Sentence: "Every day, we cross the old railroad tracks together."
Word origin: The verb 'cross' has its etymological roots in the Old English word 'crōsian' or 'crūsian,' which meant 'to go or pass across' or 'to make the sign of the cross.

Spell: descend (verb) /dɪˈsɛnd/
Definition: To move downward from a higher point or position to a lower one.
Example Sentence: "Raindrops started to descend, signaling the coming storm."
Word origin: The verb 'descend' has its etymological origins in Latin.

Spell: descent (noun) /dɪˈsɛnt/
Definition: The act or process of moving downward or declining from a higher position or level.
Example Sentence: "The airplane began its descent towards the destination airport."
Word origin: The noun 'descent' has an etymology that reflects its concept of moving downward.

Spell: diffuse (verb) /dɪˈfjuːz/
Definition: To spread something out, scattering or dispersing it over a wider area.
Example Sentence: "I will diffuse the essential oils throughout the room."
Word origin: The verb 'diffuse' has its etymological roots in Latin.

Spell: disengage (verb) /ˌdɪs ɛnˈgeɪdʒ/
Definition: To withdraw, detach or free from a particular situation, relationship, or physical connection.
Example Sentence: "Sarah decided to disengage from the toxic relationship for the sake of her own well-being."
Word origin: The verb 'disengage' has its etymological origins in the early 17th century.

Spell: dismount (verb) /dɪsˈmaʊnt/
Definition: To get off or down from a horse, bicycle, or other vehicle or platform.
Example Sentence: "The cyclist needs to dismount and fix a flat tire."
Word origin: The verb 'dismount' has its etymological origins in Middle English.

Spell: disperse (verb) /dɪˈspəːs/
Definition: To spread or scatter something widely and evenly in various directions.
Example Sentence: "The police used tear gas to disperse the rioters."
Word origin: The verb 'disperse' has its etymological roots in Latin.

Spell: displace (verb) /dɪˈspleɪs/
Definition: To move something or someone from its original position to a new location or position.
Example Sentence: "The new highway will displace a significant amount of wildlife habitat."
Word origin: The verb 'displace' has its etymological origins in Middle English.

Spell: drain (verb) /dreɪn/
Definition: To remove or cause the gradual depletion of a substance, typically a liquid, from a container or an area.
Example Sentence: "Heavy rainfall can often drain into the sewers, causing them to overflow."
Word origin: The verb 'drain' has an etymology rooted in Old English and Middle English.

Spell: flow (verb) /floʊ/
Definition: To move or transfer a substance, such as liquid, gas, or even ideas, in a smooth and continuous manner.
Example Sentence: "Creativity begins to flow when you let go of inhibitions."
Word origin: The verb 'flow' has ancient origins, tracing back to the Old English word 'flowan,' which meant 'to flow' or 'to stream.

Spell: flush (verb) /flʌʃ/
Definition: To cause a flow of liquid, usually water, through a space or area to cleanse, clean, or remove something.
Example Sentence: "The city decided to flush the old sewage system to prevent any backups."
Word origin: The verb 'flush' has a rich and diverse etymology.

Spell: flutter (verb) /ˈflʌtə/
Definition: To rapidly move in quick a delicate, quivering, or flapping motion, typically characterized by quick and gentle variations in direction or intensity.
Example Sentence: "In the garden, butterflies flutter, creating a colorful, moving tapestry of life."
Word origin: The verb 'flutter' has its etymological roots in Middle English.

Spell: gait (noun) /ɡeɪt/
Definition: The particular manner or style in which a person or animal walks or moves on foot.
Example Sentence: "The injured athlete's gait was affected by the sprained ankle."
Word origin: The noun 'gait' has its etymological origins in Old Norse.

Spell: galumph (verb) /gəˈlʌmf/
Definition: To move in a clumsy, heavy, or awkward manner.
Example Sentence: "Watch the kangaroo galumph across the Australian plains with surprising speed."
Word origin: The verb 'galumph' is a whimsical word with an uncertain but playful etymology.

Spell: gliding (noun) /ˈɡlaɪdɪŋ/
Definition: The graceful and effortless act of moving smoothly through the air without the use of an engine.
Example Sentence: "The gliding squirrel gracefully moved from tree to tree, covering great distances without effort."
Word origin: The noun 'gliding' has its etymological origins in the Middle English word 'glyden,' which means 'to move smoothly' or 'to slide.

Spell: gyrate (verb) /dʒʌɪˈreɪt/
Definition: To move in a circular or spiraling movement, often characterized by rapid and continuous rotation or swirling around a central point.
Example Sentence: "Whirling leaves in the autumn breeze gyrate gracefully before settling."
Word origin: The verb 'gyrate' has its etymological origins in Latin.

Spell: hasten (verb) /ˈheɪ sən/
Definition: To accelerate or speed up a process, event, or action.
Example Sentence: "Please hasten to send me the documents I requested."
Word origin: The verb 'hasten' has its roots in the Middle English word 'hastnen,' which was derived from the Old French verb 'haster.

Spell: hobble (verb) /ˈhɒb əl/
Definition: To walk or move with difficulty, often due to a physical impairment, injury, or an obstacle.
Example Sentence: "The steep terrain forced us to hobble carefully downhill."
Word origin: The verb 'hobble' finds its origins in Middle English, where it was spelled as 'hobelen' or 'hobilien.

Spell: hurtle (verb) /ˈhɜr tl/
Definition: To move at a high speed or with great force, often with a sense of urgency or danger.
Example Sentence: "Cars hurtle down the racetrack, engines roaring and crowds cheering."
Word origin: The verb 'hurtle' has its etymological origins in Middle English.

Spell: hurtling (adjective) /ˈhəːtl/
Definition: To move or travel at a very high speed, typically in an uncontrolled manner.
Example Sentence: "The train was hurtling towards the station at full speed."
Word origin: The adjective 'hurtling' has its roots in the Middle English word 'hurtlen,' which meant 'to collide' or 'to dash violently.

Spell: immobile (adjective) /ɪˈmoʊ bəl/
Definition: Incapable of movement or unable to be moved easily.
Example Sentence: "The heavy furniture was immobile, requiring a team of movers to relocate it."
Word origin: The adjective 'immobile' is formed by adding the prefix 'im-' (meaning 'not') to the word 'mobile.

Spell: inundated (adjective) /ˈɪn ənˌdeɪ tɪd/
Definition: Overwhelmed or flooded with a large quantity or excessive amount of something.
Example Sentence: "She felt inundated with paperwork and deadlines at her new job."
Word origin: The adjective 'inundated' has its origins in the Latin word 'inundatus,' which is the past participle form of 'inundare,' meaning 'to flood' or 'to overflow.

Spell: leave (verb) /liv/
Definition: To depart or move away from a particular place or situation.
Example Sentence: "The hikers will leave at dawn to avoid the heat."
Word origin: The verb 'leave' can be traced back to the Old English word 'lǣfan,' which meant to let remain or permit.

Spell: lollop (verb) /ˈlɒləp/
Definition: To move in an awkward or ungainly way, particularly in the context of running or walking.
Example Sentence: "Elephants lollop with grace, despite their massive size."
Word origin: The verb 'lollop' is believed to have its origins in British English and is considered a colloquial or informal term.

Spell: lumber (verb) /ˈlʌm bər/
Definition: To move heavily or clumsily.
Example Sentence: "The old truck continued to lumber along the bumpy dirt road."
Word origin: The verb 'lumber' has its etymological roots in the Middle English word 'lomeren' or 'lumberen,' which meant 'to move heavily or clumsily.

Spell: lunge (verb) /lʌnʤ/
Definition: To make a sudden forward movement or thrust, typically with one's body.
Example Sentence: "He lunged to catch the frisbee before it hit the ground."
Word origin: The verb 'lunge' has its etymological roots in Middle English.

Spell: meander (verb) /mɪˈandə/
Definition: To move or wander around in a leisurely or aimless way, without a specific destination or purpose in mind.
Example Sentence: "He liked to meander through the forest, exploring hidden trails."
Word origin: The verb 'meander' has its etymological origins in ancient history.

Spell: momentum (noun) /moʊˈmɛn təm/
Definition: The strength, force, or energy gained by a moving object or a process.
Example Sentence: "The company's innovative product launch helped them build momentum in the market."
Word origin: The noun 'momentum' has its etymological origins in Latin, particularly from the word 'momentum,' which means 'movement' or 'motion.

Spell: motion (noun) /ˈmoʊ ʃən/
Definition: The act or process of moving or changing position, typically involving a physical entity.
Example Sentence: "The car's sudden motion startled the pedestrians on the sidewalk."
Word origin: The noun 'motion' has its etymological origins in Latin, deriving from the word 'motio,' which is formed from the verb 'movere,' meaning 'to move.

Spell: move (verb) /muv/
Definition: Changing one's position or location from one place to another.
Example Sentence: "I can't move that heavy furniture by myself."
Word origin: The verb 'move' has its etymological roots in the Old English word 'mōvan,' which is related to the Proto-Germanic word '*mōtijan.

Spell: natatorial (adjective) /ˌneɪ təˈtɔr i əl/
Definition: Relating to swimming or being adapted for swimming.
Example Sentence: "Penguins' natatorial abilities make them agile hunters in the ocean."
Word origin: The word 'natatorial' finds its etymological roots in the Latin language.

Spell: proceed (verb) /prəˈsid/
Definition: To continue or move forward, typically with a plan, action, or process.
Example Sentence: "Please proceed to the next step of the installation process."
Word origin: The verb 'proceed' has its etymology rooted in the Latin word 'procedere,' which is a combination of 'pro,' meaning 'forward,' and 'cedere,' meaning 'to go' or 'to yield.

Spell: projectile (noun) /prəˈdʒɛktʌɪl/
Definition: An object that is propelled through the air, typically by some kind of force or energy.
Example Sentence: "The physics teacher explained how to calculate the velocity of a projectile."
Word origin: The noun 'projectile' has its etymology rooted in the Latin word 'projectilis,' which is derived from 'proicere,' meaning 'to throw forward' or 'to cast forth.

Spell: pulsate (verb) /pʌlˈseɪt/
Definition: To beat or throb in a rhythmic, regular, and recurring expansion and contraction or beating movement.
Example Sentence: "His heart would pulsate rapidly during moments of excitement."
Word origin: The verb 'pulsate' finds its etymological roots in Latin.

Spell: radiate (verb) /ˈreɪ diˌeɪt/
Definition: To emit or spread out light, heat, energy, or other forms of radiation from a central source.
Example Sentence: "The heater will radiate heat once it’s turned on."
Word origin: The verb 'radiate' has its roots in the Latin word 'radiatus,' which is the past participle of 'radiare,' meaning 'to emit rays' or 'to shine.

Spell: relocate (verb) /riˈloʊ keɪt/
Definition: To move or transfer to a new place or location.
Example Sentence: "The family had to relocate due to their father's job transfer."
Word origin: The verb 'relocate' is a relatively modern term, coined by combining the prefix 're-' meaning 'again' or 'back' with the word 'locate,' which originates from the Latin word 'locatus,' the past participle of 'locare,' meaning 'to place' or 'to put.

Spell: revolve (verb) /rɪˈvɒlv/
Definition: To move in a circular or orbital path around a central point or axis.
Example Sentence: "The carousel makes the colorful horses revolve in a circular motion."
Word origin: The verb 'revolve' has its etymological origins in the Latin word 'revolvere,' which combines 're-' meaning 'back' or 'again' and 'volvere' meaning 'to turn.

Spell: rotate (verb) /ˈroʊ teɪt/
Definition: To turn or pivot an object around an axis or fixed point.
Example Sentence: "The blades of the windmill rotate in the breeze."
Word origin: The verb 'rotate' derives its etymology from the Latin word 'rotatus,' which is the past participle of 'rotare.

Spell: roving (adjective) /ˈroʊ vɪŋ/
Definition: Characterized by being mobile, wandering, or constantly moving from place to place.
Example Sentence: "The roving bands of musicians added life to the streets during the festival."
Word origin: The adjective 'roving' is closely linked to its verb counterpart 'rove.

Spell: scale (verb) /skeɪl/
Definition: To climb, ascend, or reach the top of something, typically a physical object or a vertical surface.
Example Sentence: "As a climber, to scale Mount Everest is my ultimate, sought-after achievement."
Word origin: The verb 'scale' in the context of climbing or ascending has an interesting etymology.

Spell: siphon (verb) /ˈsaɪfən/
Definition: To transfer or draw off liquid from one container or source to another by using a tube or pipe.
Example Sentence: "The aquarium enthusiast carefully siphoned the debris from the fish tank to maintain water cleanliness."
Word origin: The verb 'siphon' has an interesting etymology rooted in the Greek word 'siphon,' which means 'pipe' or 'tube.

Spell: skulk (verb) /skʌlk/
Definition: To move stealthily or furtively, often with the intention of avoiding detection or attention.
Example Sentence: "At the party, Jake preferred to skulk in the shadows, avoiding conversation."
Word origin: The verb 'skulk' has its etymological roots in the Scandinavian languages, particularly Old Norse.

Spell: sluice (noun) /slus/
Definition: A channel or passage that is used to control the flow of water.
Example Sentence: "The floodgates of the sluice were opened to regulate the water level in the reservoir."
Word origin: The noun 'sluice' has its etymological roots in the Old Dutch word 'sluys' and the Middle Dutch word 'sluse,' both of which meant a barrier or gate for controlling the flow of water.

Spell: soar (verb) /sɔr/
Definition: To fly or move upward with great height and speed.
Example Sentence: "My heart will soar with joy when I see you again."
Word origin: The verb 'soar' has a soaring etymology that can be traced back to the Latin word 'surgere,' which means 'to rise' or 'to stand up.

Spell: soaring (adjective) /ˈsɔr ɪŋ/
Definition: Rising or ascending with great height, often in a graceful or majestic manner.
Example Sentence: "The skyscraper's soaring spire dominated the city skyline."
Word origin: The adjective 'soaring' derives its etymology from the Middle English word 'souren,' which can be traced back to the Old French word 'sorer,' meaning to fly or soar.

Spell: spillway (noun) /ˈspɪlˌweɪ
Definition: A structure or channel designed to divert or control the flow of water from a reservoir, dam, or other water containment system.
Example Sentence: "The heavy rainfall caused the spillway to release a powerful cascade of water."
Word origin: The noun 'spillway' is a compound word formed from two distinct components.

Spell: spurt (verb) /spɜrt/
Definition: To move or gush with a sudden burst of speed.
Example Sentence: "The ketchup bottle was clogged, but a hard tap made the sauce spurt onto the fries."
Word origin: The verb 'spurt' has an onomatopoeic quality to its etymology, as it imitates the sudden, swift motion it describes.

Spell: stagger (verb) /ˈstæg ər/
Definition: To move unsteadily or sway from side to side, often as a result of being off balance or experiencing dizziness or exhaustion.
Example Sentence: "The strong winds made the trees stagger and sway in a mesmerizing dance."
Word origin: The verb 'stagger' has an etymology that aligns with its unsteady, swaying motion.

Spell: stoop (verb) /stup/
Definition: To bend one's body forward and downward, often by curving the back and shoulders.
Example Sentence: "The worker had to stoop to reach the low shelf."
Word origin: The verb 'stoop' has its origins in Old English and Middle English.

Spell: subside (verb) /səbˈsaɪd/
Definition: To gradually diminish or decrease in intensity, strength, or activity.
Example Sentence: "The pain in my shoulder started to subside after I took some painkillers."
Word origin: The verb 'subside' has its etymological origins in Latin.

Spell: sway (verb) /sweɪ/
Definition: To move or oscillate gently from side to side or back and forth.
Example Sentence: "As the crowd chants, their energy begins to sway the atmosphere of the stadium."
Word origin: The verb 'sway' has its etymological roots in Old English, where it was originally spelled as 'swaeg.

Spell: taper (verb) /ˈteɪpə/
Definition: To gradually decrease or reduce the width, size, amount, or intensity of something.
Example Sentence: "He will taper the candle wick for a more even burn."
Word origin: The verb 'taper' has its etymological roots in Old English.

Spell: transfer (verb) /trænsˈfɜr/
Definition: To move or convey something or someone from one place, person, or situation to another.
Example Sentence: "The bank will transfer the funds to your account."
Word origin: The verb 'transfer' originates from the Latin word 'transferre,' which combines 'trans,' meaning 'across' or 'beyond,' with 'ferre,' meaning 'to carry' or 'to bring.

Spell: trickle (verb) /ˈtrɪk əl/
Definition: To seep gradually and continuously in a thin, gentle stream
Example Sentence: "A small stream of honey started to trickle, sweetening the surface below."
Word origin: The verb 'trickle' can be linguistically linked to its root in the Old English word 'triclian,' which derives from the Proto-Germanic word 'triukilōną.

Spell: vamoose (verb) /væˈmus/
Definition: To quickly and abruptly leave a place or situation.
Example Sentence: "The kids promised to vamoose as soon as their homework was done."
Word origin: The verb 'vamoose' has its origins in American English slang, particularly in the American West during the 19th century.

Spell: volant (adjective) /ˈvoʊ lənt/
Definition: Capable of flying or has the ability to move through the air.
Example Sentence: "The dragon in the fantasy novel was depicted with volant wings, capable of carrying it across vast distances."
Word origin: The adjective 'volant' has its etymological roots in Latin.

Spell: vortex (noun) /ˈvɔːtɛks/
Definition: A swirling flow of fluid, air, or other material that rotates around a central point or axis.
Example Sentence: "A vortex of leaves spiraled into the air on a windy day."
Word origin: The noun 'vortex' has its etymological origins in Latin.

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