cohabit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, legal, academic, journalistic.
Quick answer
What does “cohabit” mean?
To live together in a sexual relationship without being married.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To live together in a sexual relationship without being married.
To exist or occur together; to coexist, especially in a shared space or environment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. 'Live together' is more common in everyday speech in both varieties.
Connotations
In both, it can carry a neutral, formal tone or a slightly old-fashioned/legalistic one. Less judgmental than 'shack up'.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK legal and official contexts (e.g., 'cohabiting partners'). In the US, 'domestic partnership' is a common related term.
Grammar
How to Use “cohabit” in a Sentence
cohabit (intransitive)cohabit with [person/entity]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cohabit” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They chose to cohabit before getting married.
- The new law grants rights to cohabiting couples.
American English
- They decided to cohabit after graduation.
- Many states have laws affecting cohabiting partners.
adverb
British English
- [Rarely used as a standalone adverb. 'They live together cohabitingly' is unnatural.]
American English
- [Rarely used as a standalone adverb.]
adjective
British English
- The cohabiting pair applied for a joint mortgage.
- Cohabitant rights are a key issue.
American English
- They are in a cohabiting relationship.
- Cohabiting families face unique tax situations.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in HR contexts regarding partner benefits for cohabiting employees.
Academic
Common in sociology, demography, and law papers studying family structures.
Everyday
Formal alternative to 'live together'. 'My sister and her boyfriend cohabit in Leeds.'
Technical
Used in ecology/biology (e.g., 'The two species cohabit the same burrow.')
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cohabit”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cohabit”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cohabit”
- Using it transitively (e.g., 'He cohabits her' is wrong). Confusing it with 'cohabitate' (a less common variant).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. Its core meaning is for unmarried romantic partners living together. It can be used more broadly (e.g., 'different religions cohabiting in one city'), but this is less common.
'Cohabit' is more formal and specific, often used in legal, academic, or official contexts. 'Live together' is the neutral, everyday phrase.
Yes, but it is less common and often considered a needless extension of 'cohabit'. 'Cohabit' is the standard and preferred form.
Yes. The simple past and past participle are both 'cohabited' (e.g., 'They cohabited for five years before marrying.').
To live together in a sexual relationship without being married.
Cohabit is usually formal, legal, academic, journalistic. in register.
Cohabit: in British English it is pronounced /kəʊˈhæb.ɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /koʊˈhæb.ɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly with 'cohabit']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CO-HABITAT. You share your habitat (home) with someone.
Conceptual Metaphor
SHARING A SPACE IS CO-INHABITING.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'cohabit' correctly?