Noun A2 — Elementary /ˈməʊ.mənt/

Moment — Definition, Examples & Pronunciation

A very short period of time, a specific point in time, or importance — one of the most useful words in everyday English.

Quick Definition

A moment is (1) a very short period of time; (2) a particular point in time, especially one that is significant; (3) (formal) importance or significance. At the moment means right now or currently.

What Does Moment Mean?

Moment is one of the most common nouns in English and carries three related but distinct meanings. The most everyday use refers to a brief period of time: "Wait a moment" is something native speakers say dozens of times a day. The second meaning refers to a specific, often emotionally significant, point in time: "It was the moment everything changed." The third meaning — importance or consequence — is formal and literary: "a matter of great moment".

In British English, at the moment is the standard phrase for "right now" or "currently". This is slightly different from American English, which often prefers "right now" in casual speech. Learners frequently encounter at the moment in everyday conversation, news, and workplace English, so it is well worth mastering.

Note also that moment can function as a conjunction: "The moment I opened the door, I knew something was wrong." This use is equivalent to "as soon as" and gives writing a more vivid, immediate quality.

Etymology: From Latin momentum (movement, impulse, brief period), from movere (to move). Entered English via Old French moment in the 14th century. The same Latin root gives us momentum in physics and the adjective momentous (of great importance). The suffix -ary produces momentary (lasting only a moment).

Example Sentences by Level

LevelSentenceUsage note
A2 Wait a moment — I need to find my keys. moment = a very short time; common polite request
B1 At the moment, she is focusing on improving her speaking fluency. at the moment = currently; used with present continuous
B1 He thought about it for a moment and then nodded slowly. for a moment = briefly; shows brief reflection
B2 The moment she heard the news, she burst into tears. the moment = as soon as; conjunction use in narrative
C1 Historians regard the signing of the treaty as a defining moment in the nation's history, one whose consequences are still felt today. defining moment = a turning point; formal and academic register

Common Collocations

CollocationMeaning / Example
at the momentcurrently, right now — "I'm busy at the moment."
for a momentbriefly — "She paused for a moment before answering."
at that momentat that specific point in time — "At that moment, the lights went out."
in a momentvery soon — "I'll be with you in a moment."
a defining momenta turning point — "Winning that scholarship was a defining moment."
a brief momenta very short time — "There was a brief moment of silence."
a precious momenta treasured instant — "She captured every precious moment on camera."
the right momentthe ideal time — "He waited for the right moment to ask."
a moment of silencea brief pause, often to show respect — "They held a moment of silence for the victims."
live in the momentto focus on the present — "Try to live in the moment rather than worrying about the future."

Usage Notes

At the moment vs. currently: Both mean "right now", but at the moment is more conversational and typically used with the present continuous: "I'm working on a new project at the moment." Currently is more formal and suits written English or job descriptions.

Moment as a conjunction: "The moment + subject + verb" means "as soon as": "The moment he sat down, his phone rang." This structure adds immediacy and is common in storytelling and journalism.

At this moment in time: This longer phrase is widely considered wordy. In most contexts, at the moment or simply now is cleaner and more natural.

Countability: Moment is always countable — use a moment, one moment, or moments. There is no uncountable use.

Common Mistakes

Watch Out For

I am very busy at this moment in time.

I am very busy at the moment. (remove the wordy addition "in time")

She arrived in the moment I left.

She arrived the moment I left. (no preposition before moment used as a conjunction)

He thought for a moment of silence about the problem.

He thought about the problem for a moment. (keep collocations intact; "a moment of silence" has a specific meaning)

Word Family

FormWordExample
NounmomentWait a moment, please.
AdjectivemomentaryThere was a momentary pause before she replied.
AdjectivemomentousIt was a momentous decision that changed everything.
AdverbmomentarilyHe was momentarily lost for words.
AdverbmomentouslyThe treaty was momentously signed in 1945.

Related Words

instant second minute occasion period time point juncture momentary momentous

Practise This Word

Flash Cards Complete the Sentence Vocabulary Quiz Hangman

Frequently Asked Questions about “moment”

What does moment mean in English?
Moment has three main meanings in English. First, a very short period of time: 'Wait a moment.' Second, a specific point in time: 'It was the moment I realised I had made a mistake.' Third, importance or significance (formal): 'This decision is of great moment.' The first two meanings are by far the most common in everyday English.
How do you pronounce moment?
Moment is pronounced /ˈməʊ.mənt/ in British English. The stress falls on the first syllable: MO-ment. The first vowel is the long 'oh' sound /əʊ/, and the second syllable is reduced to a weak schwa sound /mənt/. The American English pronunciation is similar: /ˈmoʊ.mənt/.
What is the difference between moment and minute?
Both words can mean a short time, but moment is vaguer and more informal when used this way: 'Wait a moment' and 'Wait a minute' are both common. However, minute also has the precise meaning of 60 seconds, which moment does not. Moment is also used for emotionally significant points in time: 'a defining moment', 'the moment I knew' — uses where minute would not fit.
What are common collocations with moment?
Common collocations with moment include: at the moment (currently), for a moment (briefly), at that moment (at that specific time), the right moment (the perfect time), a defining moment (a turning point), a brief moment (a very short time), a precious moment (a treasured instant), and in a moment (very soon). 'At the moment' is particularly common in British English to mean 'right now'.
What is the difference between 'at the moment' and 'at this moment'?
'At the moment' is the natural British English phrase meaning 'right now' or 'currently': 'I'm busy at the moment.' 'At this moment' is slightly more emphatic or dramatic: 'At this very moment, the decision is being made.' 'At this moment in time' is a longer variant often considered wordy — it can usually be shortened to 'at the moment' or simply 'now'.
Can moment mean importance?
Yes, but this is a formal, literary meaning. When moment means significance or importance, it appears in phrases like 'a matter of great moment' or 'decisions of no small moment'. This usage is common in formal writing and literature but rare in everyday spoken English. Most learners at A2–B2 level will rarely need this meaning in active use.
What is the plural of moment?
The plural is moments. It is fully countable: 'There were many special moments during the trip.' The plural is very common in expressions such as 'precious moments', 'quiet moments', 'awkward moments', and 'moments of doubt'. The word does not have an uncountable sense — it is always a countable noun.
What does 'the moment' mean when used as a conjunction?
'The moment' can function as a time conjunction meaning 'as soon as': 'The moment she walked in, everyone went quiet.' This structure is common in narrative writing and spoken English. It is equivalent to 'as soon as she walked in' but feels more immediate and dramatic. The verb that follows is usually in the past simple or present simple depending on tense.
What is the origin of the word moment?
Moment comes from Latin 'momentum', meaning movement, impulse, or a brief period of time. This Latin word also gives us momentum in physics. It entered English via Old French 'moment' in the 14th century. The sense of importance or significance developed from the idea of something that 'moves' or influences events, as in 'a momentous decision'.
How can I practise using moment in English?
Try LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to practise moment in context. You can also use Flash Cards to test moment alongside related vocabulary such as instant, occasion, and period. Reading news articles or short stories in English is an excellent way to notice how moment is used naturally, especially in phrases like 'at the moment', 'at that moment', and 'the defining moment'.