cohabit

[ koh-hab-it ]

/ koʊˈhæb ɪt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: cohabit / cohabitant / cohabitation on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to live together as if married, usually without legal or religious sanction.

to live together in an intimate relationship.

to dwell with another or share the same place, as different species of animals.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of cohabit

1520–30; <Late Latin cohabitāre, equivalent to co-co- + habitāre to have possession, abide (frequentative of habēre to have, own)

OTHER WORDS FROM cohabit

co·hab·it·ant, co·hab·it·er, nounco·hab·i·ta·tion, nounnon·co·hab·i·ta·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use cohabit in a sentence

These days, a child born to an unwed mother is much more likely to be part of a cohabiting family.
Unwed Women in the United States Are Having Fewer Babies|Brandy Zadrozny|August 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In 2002 and the years 2006-10, the percentage of children born to cohabiting parents rose from 41 percent to 58 percent.
Unwed Women in the United States Are Having Fewer Babies|Brandy Zadrozny|August 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The numbers below the numbers show that a lot of people are cohabiting, just not marrying.
Question of the Day: Elena Kagan|Michael Tomasky|March 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
One study found that cohabiting women are more likely to gain weight.
The Case for Cohabitation|Hannah Seligson|April 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Furthermore, for those thinking about marriage, or even about improving a cohabiting relationship, abstinence is irrelevant.
Rick Santorum’s Phony Marriage Attack on Obama|Michelle Goldberg|January 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Nor is any body at all scrupulous about cohabiting with a young woman afterwards, though she has been in this manner abused.
A New System; or, an Analysis of Antient Mythology. Volume I.|Jacob Bryant
She had long been cohabiting with the chief singer, Gholam Ruza, and was known to be a very profligate woman.
A Journey through the Kingdom of Oude, Volumes I & II|William Sleeman
For marriage or cohabiting without a masters consent a servant had to atone with extra service.
Slavery in Pennsylvania|Edward Raymond Turner
On one Sunday she went to a secluded school-house and let three or four men wear themselves out cohabiting with her.
Studies in the Psychology of Sex, Volume 3 (of 6)|Havelock Ellis
As they are all a part of the universal church, cohabiting in one nation.
A Christian Directory|Baxter Richard

British Dictionary definitions for cohabit

cohabit

/ (kəʊˈhæbɪt) /

verb

(intr) to live together as husband and wife, esp without being married

Derived forms of cohabit

cohabitee, cohabitant or cohabiter, noun

Word Origin for cohabit

C16: via Late Latin, from Latin co- together + habitāre to live

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

cohabit

Origin of cohabit

OTHER WORDS FROM cohabit

Words related to cohabit

How to use cohabit in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for cohabit

Derived forms of cohabit

Word Origin for cohabit