Scooched

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Moved oneself or something a small distance, typically to get comfortable or fit better in a space
2. Shifted or slid slightly from one position to another, often to accommodate or adjust
3. Made a small motion to reposition oneself or an object with minor effort

Etymology: "Scooched" is the past tense and past participle of "scooch," a verb meaning to shift or slide slightly, often to make room. The verb is probably a variant of "scouch," an older word for crouching or squatting, though the sense of shifting along is thought to have been influenced by "scoot," which meant to move quickly or hurry off. Dictionaries generally treat it as a modern, imitative formation, built on the sound of a small scraping movement rather than on a documented chain of ancestors. The word shares a close relationship with "skoosh," a variant of "skosh," a slang term meaning a small amount, as in "a skosh more." Scooch and skoosh look like sibling forms that spread from the same sound-pattern, though they took on different meanings. In practice, "scooch" is most familiar from requests like "scooch over" on a crowded bench, where the movement is small, quick, and deliberate.

Synonyms: moved, shuffled, slid

Antonyms: stayed, remained