cohabit

[ koh-hab-it ]

verb (used without object)

1. to live together as if married, usually without legal or religious sanction.
2. to live together in an intimate relationship.
3. to dwell with another or share the same place, as different species of animals.

cohabit

/ kəʊˈhæbɪt /

verb

1. intr to live together as husband and wife, esp without being married

Derived Forms

• ˌcohabiˈtee, noun

Other Words From

• co·habit·ant co·habit·er noun
• co·habi·tation noun
• nonco·habi·tation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of cohabit¹

1520–30; < Late Latin cohabitāre, equivalent to co- co- + habitāre to have possession, abide (frequentative of habēre to have, own)

Word History and Origins

Origin of cohabit¹

C16: via Late Latin, from Latin co- together + habitāre to live

Example Sentences

Each of those gets a gallery where very different works by very different artists cohabit.

From Los Angeles Times

A jarring clang of cruelty and playfulness cohabit in a single work.

From Los Angeles Times

That in turn drew in wildcats, and, “Natural selection favored those wildcats that were able to cohabit with humans.”

From Seattle Times

Dubbed the "Bali bonking ban", the new legislation threatens up to a year in jail for unmarried couples who have sex or six months for those who cohabit.

From BBC

You have the right to cohabit with someone who demonstrates the willingness to bathe — for your sake, if not for his own.

From Washington Post