manoeuvre

Other spellings

• (US) maneuver
• manoeuver

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA ^(key): /məˈnuːvɚ/
• (UK) IPA ^(key): /məˈnuːvə/

• Audio (US)

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• Audio (UK)

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• Hyphenation: ma‧noeu‧vre

Noun

Singular manoeuvre

Plural manoeuvres

1. A manoeuvre is a planned action with a series of stages. It gets to a goal not directly, but by steps. If in a contest, it may involve deception, with the purpose hidden as long as possible. A manoeuvre may be simple or extremely complex.

   This was the manoeuvre: to bring his opponent into the net, and follow with a lob or a passing shot.

   The Blue Angels performed daring manoeuvres at the airshow.

2. A skilfull or subtle plan.

   His plan was a clever manoeuvre.

Verb

Plain form manoeuvre

Third-person singular manoeuvres

Past tense manoeuvred

Past participle manoeuvred

Present participle manoeuvring

1. (US) (transitive) If something is manoeuvred, it is moved somewhere else, generally with difficulty.

   She manoeuvred her car into the parking space.

2. (transitive) If someone manoeuvres a person, they manipulate, plot, guide, steer or manage them purposefully.

   She manoeuvred him into a position where he had to do what she wanted.

3. (intransitive) To do the action cleverly.

   She is manoeuvring.