co-parent: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal/Neutral
Quick answer
What does “co-parent” mean?
To share the duties and responsibilities of raising a child with another person, typically not in a romantic relationship.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To share the duties and responsibilities of raising a child with another person, typically not in a romantic relationship.
A person who shares parenting duties. Can refer to the action (verb) of shared parenting or the person (noun) performing it. Often used in contexts of separated/divorced couples, same-sex partnerships, or intentional non-romantic parenting arrangements.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and concept are identical. The hyphenated form 'co-parent' is standard in both, though 'coparent' is a less common variant.
Connotations
Neutral to positive in both, focusing on cooperative effort. In legal and social work contexts in both regions.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American media, but well-established in both varieties due to shared social trends.
Grammar
How to Use “co-parent” in a Sentence
[Subject] co-parents [with Object][Subject] and [Subject] co-parent [Object: child]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “co-parent” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They have managed to co-parent their daughter quite well since the divorce.
- We agreed to co-parent, putting the children's needs first.
American English
- They're learning how to co-parent effectively using a shared calendar.
- Despite their differences, they co-parent their son successfully.
adverb
British English
- Not standardly used as an adverb.
American English
- Not standardly used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- They have a solid co-parenting arrangement.
- The co-parenting relationship requires good communication.
American English
- They set up a detailed co-parenting schedule.
- Their co-parenting dynamic is very healthy for the kids.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not typically used.
Academic
Used in sociology, psychology, and family law studies discussing modern family structures.
Everyday
Common in discussions about divorce, separation, or non-traditional family planning among friends and family.
Technical
Used in legal documents (custody agreements), therapy, and social work.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “co-parent”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “co-parent”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “co-parent”
- Using 'co-parent' to mean 'biological parent' (it's about role, not biology).
- Omitting the hyphen: 'coparent' is less standard.
- Using it as only a noun when it's also a verb.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While common in divorce contexts, it's also used by same-sex couples, friends, or relatives who intentionally raise a child together without being romantic partners.
Yes. It is commonly used as both a noun ('He is my co-parent') and a verb ('We co-parent our children').
'Co-parent' specifically highlights the shared, cooperative nature of the parenting arrangement, often (but not always) in a situation where the adults are not a couple. A 'parent' is a more general term.
Yes, the standard and most widely accepted form is 'co-parent' (with hyphen). The closed form 'coparent' is seen but is less common.
To share the duties and responsibilities of raising a child with another person, typically not in a romantic relationship.
Co-parent is usually formal/neutral in register.
Co-parent: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkəʊ ˌpeə.rənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkoʊ ˌper.ənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To make co-parenting work”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'CO-operate as a PARENT' = CO-PARENT.
Conceptual Metaphor
PARENTING IS A JOINT PROJECT / PARTNERSHIP.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary emphasis of the term 'co-parent'?