noun

manoeuvre

muh-NOO-vuh

noun

A planned, often careful movement or action, especially one requiring skill.

"Parallel parking is a tricky manoeuvre for new drivers."

"The general planned a bold manoeuvre to outflank the enemy."

verb

To move or steer skillfully, or to maneuver someone into a position through clever tactics.

"She had to manoeuvre the boat carefully through the narrow channel."

"He manoeuvred his way into the promotion through office politics."

How to Use Manoeuvre

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA skillful, deliberate move — with your hands, a vehicle, or in a plan or negotiation.

UK vs US

This is the standard British and Commonwealth spelling; American English writes it as "maneuver."

Common pairings

military manoeuvre tight manoeuvre manoeuvre around

manoeuvred past tense, manoeuvres plural, manoeuvres singular

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Parallel parking is a tricky _____ for new drivers.

From French manœuvre, ultimately from Latin manu operari, "to work by hand" — the same root gives us "manual" and "operate."

Louvre