moon
(muːn )
Word forms: moons , mooning, mooned
1. singular noun [oft full/new N] A2
The moon is the object that you can often see in the sky at night. It goes round the Earth once every four weeks, and as it does so its appearance changes from a circle to part of a circle.
...the first man on the moon.
There will be no moon.
...the light of a full moon.
2. See also new moon
3. countable noun [usually poss NOUN]
A moon is an object similar to a small planet that travels around a planet.
...Neptune's large moon.
Synonyms: satellite
4. verb [usually cont]
If you are mooning around, you are spending time doing nothing in particular, for example because you feel unhappy or lazy, or are worried about something.
Lettie was mooning around all morning, doing nothing. [VERB adverb/preposition]
My working days were spent mooning round his department, trying to sneak a chance encounter. [VERB adverb/preposition]
Synonyms: idle, drift, loaf, languish
5. verb
If you moon at someone, you turn your back to them and show them your bare bottom. [British, informal]
6. blue moon phrase
If you say that something happens once in a blue moon, you are emphasizing that it does not happen very often at all. [emphasis]
Once in a blue moon you get some problems.
7. over the moon phrase
If you say that you are over the moon, you mean that you are very pleased about something. [British, informal]
Synonyms: ecstatic, transported, delighted, thrilled
Image of moon
© pockygallery, Shutterstock
Quotations:
Swear not by the moon, the inconstant moonRomeo and Juliet
Idioms:
ask for the moon
to ask for something that you cannot possibly have
We're not asking for the moon, but we are asking for some help so that we can continue to progress.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
howl at the moon
to waste your time and energy trying to do something which is impossible or trying to get something which you cannot have
You need to adjust your expectations and stop howling at the moon.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
once in a blue moon
very rarely
I only get over to Cambridge once in a blue moon and I'm never in London.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
over the moon [mainly British]
very happy
I'm over the moon about the way this album turned out.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
promise the moon
to promise to give people things that you cannot in fact possibly give them
So many banks try to lure customers by promising the moon.
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Collocations:
moon dust moon passes moon phase moon shines quarter moon
From this, they would build - or rather print - an igloo-like base from moon dust, or regolith.
Times, Sunday Times
When we arrive, we walk through barren grey hills the color of moon dust that were once the banks of a river.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Mining would require the construction of factories for extracting moon dust on the lunar surface.
Times, Sunday Times
Perfume makers have tried over the years to bottle the aromas of horses, popcorn, freshly baked pizza and moon dust.
Times, Sunday Times
The museum curator opined that without documentation, the moon dust particles have no commercial value and would be very difficult to resell.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
As the moon passes through your 12th house, everything will quieten down, but that suits you.
The Sun
The crescent moon passes by on the 16th and 17th, adding lustre to the scene.
Times,Sunday Times
As the moon passes through your sign, you'll feel emotional - don't worry, it'll pass.
The Sun
Eclipses are shorter when the moon passes north or south of the shadow's centre.
Times, Sunday Times
They eventually find themselves in a pool under a dormant volcano just as a full moon passes overhead, bathing the pool in light.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
The extent of crop damage also fell considerably during the full moon phase.
Times, Sunday Times
A moon dial circles the inner ring of the zodiac, displaying the moon phase.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Creation of the brands first moon phase complication movement.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
The game features a weather forecast system with events happening on foggy days to replace the moon phase system implemented in the previous games.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
On that date the moon phase would have looked full.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
The moon shines its luckiest light on you and you can excel in a talent show.
The Sun
The full moon shines on your community chart and you can help all kinds of people to get along.
The Sun
The moon shines a lucky light on lottery tickets bought with someone you're fond of.
The Sun
The moon shines a lucky light on lottery tickets and a set of six sports results.
The Sun
In your love life you are able to read feelings accurately as the moon shines on relationships.
The Sun
The last quarter moon makes this the day to check your plans and turn them into action.
The Sun
A first quarter moon gets your love life moving in the right direction.
The Sun
A simple tide clock will always be least reliable near the quarter moon.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
The two tides are unsynchronized near the first and last quarter moon (or half moon).
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Photons are given off by her veil-like feathers when she flies and on nights around the quarter moon, the aurora from her tail extends and undulates beautifully.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Translations:
Chinese: 月亮
Japanese: 月 天体