locomote: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Proficient) - Extremely rare in everyday language; primarily found in specialized, academic, or humorous use.Formal, Technical, Academic, Humorous (when used self-consciously in everyday speech).
Quick answer
What does “locomote” mean?
To move from one place to another, to travel.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To move from one place to another, to travel.
To undergo a change of physical position or location; to propel oneself or be propelled. Often used in biological, technical, or humorous contexts to describe the act of moving.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally rare and similarly connoted in both varieties.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word sounds deliberately technical, scientific, or humorous. It may be used for comedic effect to describe simple movement in an overly complex way.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Slight potential for higher occurrence in formal biological or engineering texts.
Grammar
How to Use “locomote” in a Sentence
[Subject] locomotes[Subject] locomotes + adverbial (e.g., across the room, from A to B)[Subject] uses [means] to locomoteVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “locomote” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The newly designed robot can locomote over rough terrain.
- After the injury, she learnt to locomote using a walking frame.
- How does the amoeba locomote without limbs?
American English
- The prototype is designed to locomote underwater.
- Patients are encouraged to locomote as soon as possible after surgery.
- The insect locomotes by contracting its body segments.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in specific fields like biology ('The paramecium locomotes using cilia'), robotics ('The robot locomotes via tracked wheels'), or kinesiology.
Everyday
Used only for deliberate humour or to sound pretentious. ('I shall now locomote to the kitchen for a biscuit.')
Technical
The primary domain of use. Describes movement in engineering, zoology, and medicine.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “locomote”
- Using it in casual conversation unironically, which sounds unnatural and pompous.
- Misspelling as 'locomotive' (the noun).
- Using it without an appropriate technical or humorous context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it's a real word. It's a back-formation from 'locomotion', first recorded in the 19th century. However, it is very rare outside technical contexts.
It is not recommended. Using 'locomote' in everyday conversation will almost always sound intentionally funny, overly formal, or pretentious. Stick with 'move', 'go', or 'travel'.
The direct noun is 'locomotion'. 'Locomote' itself is the verb formed from that noun.
It is most often found in biology (zoology, botany), robotics, biomechanics, kinesiology, and sometimes in engineering texts discussing the movement of machines or vehicles.
To move from one place to another, to travel.
Locomote is usually formal, technical, academic, humorous (when used self-consciously in everyday speech). in register.
Locomote: in British English it is pronounced /ˌləʊ.kəˈməʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌloʊ.kəˈmoʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LOCOMOTIVE (train) - it moves. 'Locomote' is the verb for what a locomotive does.
Conceptual Metaphor
MOVEMENT IS PROGRESS (when used technically); USING A RARE WORD IS INTELLIGENT (when used self-consciously).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the verb 'locomote' MOST appropriately used?