cohabit
koh-HAB-it
/ˌkoʊˈhæbɪt/
To live together in the same residence, especially as roommates or intimate partners.
Carries formal, scientific, or legal undertones; often used in sociological contexts regarding unmarried couples or student co-living.
The story behind the word. Formed from Latin 'co-' (together) and 'habitare' (to inhabit or dwell, frequentative of 'habere' - to hold). It passed through Middle French before entering legal English in the 16th century.
Word relationships
- live together: 'Live together' is plain everyday English, while 'cohabit' is legal, academic, or formal.
- shack up: 'Shack up' is informal and potentially disparaging, unlike the neutral/formal 'cohabit'.
- live apart: Maintaining separate residences.
Commonly confused with
- coexist: 'Coexist' means to exist at the same time or in the same place without mutual destruction, but doesn't necessarily mean sharing a home.
Word family
- cohabitation (noun): The state or custom of living together.
- cohabitant (noun): A person who lives with another in a dwelling.
Collocations
- cohabit peacefully
- cohabit in dormitories
- cohabiting students
- choose to cohabit
Example sentences
- "Many university students must learn how to cohabit peacefully with individuals from completely different cultural backgrounds." Sociological academic paper
- "Students who cohabit in gender-neutral housing must sign a mutual respect agreement." Housing policy description
Memory hook
Co (together) + Habit (habitat/live) = Live together. Co = together, Habit = reside.
When not to use
Avoid using in lighthearted casual banter with friends when 'live together' works better.
Fun facts
- In modern demographic statistics, cohabitation rates among young adults have increased over 900% since 1960.
Explore more words
cohabitation, commune, coexist, intimate, coexistence, conjugal
Also appears in
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