cohousing: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal / Technical
Quick answer
What does “cohousing” mean?
A residential community model where private homes are clustered around shared spaces and facilities.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A residential community model where private homes are clustered around shared spaces and facilities.
A form of intentional community combining private ownership with extensive communal facilities and activities, promoting social interaction, shared resources, and sustainable living.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term originated in Denmark and entered both lexicons. Spelling is identical. The concept is equally present in both cultures.
Connotations
Both varieties strongly associate the term with sustainability, community, shared responsibility, and intentional living. Connotations are positive, progressive, and sometimes alternative.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse, but established and moderately common within specific contexts: urban planning, sociology, environmental studies, and lifestyle media. Frequency is similar in both UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “cohousing” in a Sentence
[Noun] + 'is a cohousing community'[Plural Noun] + 'live in cohousing'[Verb] + 'to develop a cohousing project'Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cohousing” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not standardly used as a verb.
American English
- Not standardly used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- The cohousing principles were key to the development.
- They adopted a cohousing lifestyle.
American English
- The cohousing community's garden is thriving.
- She's a proponent of the cohousing model.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in property development, social enterprise, and sustainable business models. e.g., 'The firm specialises in financing cohousing developments.'
Academic
Common in urban studies, sociology, environmental science, and architecture. e.g., 'The paper analyses social capital formation in Danish cohousing.'
Everyday
Used in lifestyle discussions, news articles about housing alternatives. e.g., 'We're considering joining a cohousing community to reduce costs and loneliness.'
Technical
Used in planning documents, architectural briefs, and community development policies. e.g., 'The site plan allocates 40% of space to communal cohousing facilities.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cohousing”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cohousing”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cohousing”
- Confusing with 'commune' (which implies shared income/politics).
- Using 'cohousing' as a verb (e.g., 'They cohoused'). The verb form is not standard.
- Spelling as 'co-housing' or 'co housing'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In a commune, resources and income are often shared. Cohousing focuses on shared facilities and community life while maintaining private households and finances.
Not necessarily, but the model often attracts people interested in sustainability due to shared resources reducing individual consumption. The primary focus is on community.
Typically, the residents themselves through a democratic governance structure, often involving regular meetings and committees. It is self-managed.
No. There are intergenerational cohousing communities with mixed ages, as well as ones specifically for seniors (senior cohousing) or young families.
A residential community model where private homes are clustered around shared spaces and facilities.
Cohousing is usually formal / technical in register.
Cohousing: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkəʊˈhaʊzɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkoʊˈhaʊzɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It takes a village (conceptual link)”
- “To build a community”
- “Shared walls, shared lives”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CO-operating on HOUSING. People COme together to manage their HOUSING.
Conceptual Metaphor
A COMMUNITY IS A FAMILY, A NEIGHBOURHOOD IS A VILLAGE, SHARING IS CARING.
Practice
Quiz
What is a key feature that distinguishes cohousing from a standard apartment block?