moor

IPA/mɔː(r)/
KK[mˈʊr]IPA/mʊr/

moor — noun

  • moorsingular
  • moorsplural

1. a broad stretch of uncultivated high land, often in Britain, covered in coarse g

1.nounC1
Definition

a broad stretch of uncultivated high land, often in Britain, covered in coarse grass, heather, and other low plants

Example

Gabriel hiked across the moor before sunrise, with fog around the stones.

across the moor

Nadia's boots sank into wet ground as sheep wandered over the moor.

scene: wet moor with sheep

Common collocations
  • cross the moor
  • bleak moor
  • open moor
Synonyms
  • heath

    A heath is usually lower and flatter; a moor often suggests broader, higher ground.

  • upland

    Upland is a general word for high land and does not imply wild grassland.

Antonyms
  • farmland

    Farmland is land used for crops or animals rather than rough uncultivated ground.

Usage Note

Most often used for British landscapes, especially wide windy high ground that is too rough for normal farming.

2. a Muslim from North Africa belonging to the peoples that controlled much of Spai

2.nounC2
Definition

a Muslim from North Africa belonging to the peoples that controlled much of Spain and Portugal in the Middle Ages

Example

In class, Christopher traced how the Moors changed farming in southern Spain.

the Moors + changed + region

The guide explained that the Moors built many strong walls and arches.

Common collocations
  • Moor ruler
  • Moor general
  • the Moors

Usage Note

This word is mainly used in historical discussion about medieval Iberia and North Africa, not for modern national identity.

moor — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Moor,' 'anchor,' 'dock,' and 'berth' all describe putting a boat in place, but they focus on different parts of the action. 'Moor' means fastening the boat so it stays put, often with ropes or chains near a pier or riverbank. 'Anchor' stresses dropping an anchor, usually away from the shore. 'Dock' often means bringing a boat into a dock or pier area, while 'berth' is more formal and often refers to a set place in a harbor.

moor ↗anchor ↗dock ↗berth ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • cross the moor
  • moor a boat
  • moor overnight

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishLatinEnglish

The land sense of 'moor' comes from Old English 'mōr,' referring to uncultivated or marshy ground. The historical noun 'Moor' comes through Latin and later European forms for the Muslim peoples of North Africa. The verb developed in the language of boats and fastening, and is historically separate from the historical noun.

First known use

12th century

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Verb