shack up: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Slang
Quick answer
What does “shack up” mean?
To begin living with someone, typically a romantic partner, without being married.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To begin living with someone, typically a romantic partner, without being married; to cohabit temporarily or casually.
Can imply a temporary, improvised, or non-serious living arrangement, often with connotations of informality, lack of commitment, or resourcefulness. In some contexts, it can mean to find temporary shelter or accommodation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Used in both varieties, but potentially perceived as slightly more American. In British English, 'live together' is more neutral and common.
Connotations
In both varieties, it often implies a less formal or committed relationship than 'cohabit' or 'live together'. May suggest a relationship based more on convenience.
Frequency
More frequent in informal spoken American English than in British English.
Grammar
How to Use “shack up” in a Sentence
SUBJ + shack up + with + OBJ (person)SUBJ + shack up + togetherSUBJ + shack up + ADV (place/time)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shack up” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- After uni, they decided to shack up in a flat in Bristol.
- He's shacked up with his new girlfriend in Cornwall.
American English
- They lost their apartment and had to shack up with friends for a month.
- Did you hear Mark shacked up with Sarah after knowing her for two weeks?
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used; 'cohabit' is the formal term.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation among friends, often with a playful or gossipy tone.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shack up”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shack up”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shack up”
- Using it without 'with' (*'They shacked up.' needs 'together' or 'with each other').
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Using it to describe a married couple moving house.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and can be seen as slightly dismissive or judgmental of the relationship's seriousness. It's best used in casual settings with people you know well, not in formal contexts or with people who might be sensitive about their living situation.
Yes, but less commonly. It can mean to stay temporarily with someone (e.g., 'I shacked up with a friend while my flat was being painted'). This usage still carries the informal, temporary connotation.
'Move in with' is more neutral and standard. 'Shack up' is slang and emphasizes the informal, often non-marital, and sometimes temporary nature of the arrangement. It often implies a quicker or less planned decision.
The past tense is 'shacked up' (e.g., 'They shacked up last year').
To begin living with someone, typically a romantic partner, without being married.
Shack up is usually informal, slang in register.
Shack up: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃæk ʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃæk ʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Shack up in sin (dated, humorous/judgmental)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a couple moving into a simple, rustic SHACK together UP on a hill, suggesting a basic, unofficial start to living together.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELATIONSHIPS ARE TEMPORARY STRUCTURES (a shack is not a permanent house).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'shack up' correctly and most naturally?