movables

movables

A family carefully packs their movables into cardboard boxes.

Definition
  1. Noun (plural):
    • Personal property: "movables" refers to items of property that can be moved from one place to another, such as furniture, clothing, or equipment. In legal contexts, this term distinguishes such items from real property (land and buildings).
    • Household goods: In everyday usage, "movables" often means the movable possessions within a home, like furniture and appliances.
Usage Examples
  • (The furniture and other movable items were auctioned off.)
  • (The personal property, not the house itself, was left to the children.)
  • (The movable household goods are specified.)
Advanced Usage

  • "Chattels": A synonym for "movables" in legal terminology, often used in phrases like "goods and chattels."

    • The lease includes all chattels and movables on the premises. (The lease covers all movable property.)

  • "Fixture vs. Movable": In law, a fixture is an item that is fixed to land or a building (e.g., a built-in closet) and is considered part of the real property, whereas a "movable" is not fixed.

    • The chandelier is a movable, not a fixture, so it can be taken. (The chandelier can be removed because it is not permanently attached.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Movable (adj, singular): capable of being moved.

    • The movable wall allows the room to be reconfigured. (The wall can be shifted easily.)

  • Immovable (adj): not capable of being moved; fixed in place.

    • The immovable stone statue cannot be relocated. (The statue is permanently fixed.)
Synonyms
  • Personal property: legal term for all property that is not real estate.
  • Chattels: a legal term for movable items, especially in historical or formal contexts.
  • Effects: often used in phrases like "personal effects" to mean small movable items.
  • Furnishings: specifically refers to furniture and decorative items in a home.
Related Idioms

  • "Goods and chattels": a legal phrase meaning all movable personal property.

    • He left his goods and chattels to his nephew. (He bequeathed all his movable possessions.)

  • "Movables of the house": an older phrase for household furniture and belongings.

    • The movables of the house were listed in the inventory. (The household items were catalogued.)