cohabitate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal
Quick answer
What does “cohabitate” mean?
to live together and have a sexual relationship without being married.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to live together and have a sexual relationship without being married.
To live together in an intimate relationship, typically as partners, without being legally married. It can also refer to non-human entities or animals sharing the same habitat.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'cohabit' is overwhelmingly preferred. 'Cohabitate' is used but is rarer and can sound more formal or even slightly Americanized.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word carries a neutral-to-formal register regarding relationship status. There is no significant difference in connotation beyond the slight formality of 'cohabitate'.
Frequency
'Cohabit' is far more frequent than 'cohabitate' in both dialects, but particularly in BrE. 'Cohabitate' sees more use in AmE, though still less than 'cohabit'.
Grammar
How to Use “cohabitate” in a Sentence
cohabitate (with somebody)cohabitate togethercohabitate for [period of time]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cohabitate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The couple decided to cohabitate before considering marriage.
- Laws have evolved to protect individuals who cohabitate long-term.
American English
- Many young adults now choose to cohabitate for several years before getting engaged.
- The state recognizes the rights of partners who cohabitate for a decade or more.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used. 'Cohabiting' is preferred as adjective/gerund).
American English
- (Rarely used. 'Cohabiting' is preferred as adjective/gerund).
adjective
British English
- Cohabiting couples now outnumber married couples in some age groups.
- The cohabitative arrangement lasted five years.
American English
- Cohabitating partners may face different tax implications.
- They entered a cohabitative agreement to outline financial responsibilities.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in HR policies discussing benefits for domestic partners.
Academic
Used in sociology, demography, and legal studies to describe relationship structures.
Everyday
Used in formal conversation or writing about relationships. 'Live together' is far more common.
Technical
Used in legal contexts regarding rights of unmarried partners, and in biology/ecology for species sharing a habitat.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cohabitate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cohabitate”
- Using 'cohabitate' when 'cohabit' would be more natural. Adding an unnecessary object, e.g., 'They cohabitate each other' (correct: 'They cohabitate' or 'They cohabitate with each other').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Cohabit' is the standard, more frequently used verb. 'Cohabitate' is a less common variant, often considered a back-formation from 'cohabitation'. Their meanings are identical.
Primarily yes, in social contexts. However, in technical fields like biology or ecology, it can neutrally mean 'to inhabit the same space' (e.g., 'The two species cohabitate in the rainforest canopy').
Yes, it is formal. In casual conversation, people are more likely to say 'live together' or the informal 'shack up'.
No. 'Cohabitate' specifically implies a domestic and sexual partnership. For platonic roommates, you would say 'share a house/apartment', 'live together as roommates', or 'co-reside'.
to live together and have a sexual relationship without being married.
Cohabitate: in British English it is pronounced /kəʊˈhæb.ɪ.teɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /koʊˈhæb.ə.teɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To shack up (informal synonym)”
- “To play house (informal, sometimes dismissive)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CO-HABIT-ATE. 'CO' (together) + 'HABIT' (live) + 'ATE' (verb ending) = 'to live together'.
Conceptual Metaphor
A RELATIONSHIP IS A SHARED DOMICILE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the MOST common synonym for 'cohabitate' in everyday English?