Meaning & use
cohabits
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“cohabits” is a form of “cohabit”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbintransitiveformal
Lives together with a romantic partner without being married.
Grammar: No object; often followed by 'with': She cohabits with her partner.
Patterns
- cohabit with someone
- cohabit without marrying
My cousin cohabits with her boyfriend in a small apartment downtown.
The survey shows that one in five couples cohabits before marriage.
He cohabits with his partner but they have no plans to wed.
verbintransitivetechnical
(Of animals or groups) lives in the same place or close together.
Grammar: Used mainly in scientific or formal writing; often followed by 'with'.
Patterns
- cohabit with something
- species that cohabit
Several species of birds cohabit in the same wetland.
The two tribes cohabited peacefully for generations.
Word forms
| base form | cohabit |
|---|---|
| third person singular | cohabits |
| past tense | cohabited |
| past participle | cohabited |
| -ing form | cohabiting |
Common combinations
- cohabit with someone
- She cohabits with her partner in a rented flat.
- cohabit before marriage
- Many couples now cohabit before marriage.
- cohabiting couples
- The law offers fewer protections to cohabiting couples.
- cohabit peacefully
- The two communities have cohabited peacefully for decades.
Synonyms and how they differ
- live together
- The everyday phrase; 'cohabit' is more formal and often used in legal or statistical writing.
- shack up
- Informal and often disapproving; 'cohabit' is neutral and formal.
Opposites
Word family
- cohabitation noun
- The state of living together as partners without being married.
- cohabitant noun
- A person who lives with a partner without being married.
Commonly confused: cohabits or inhabit?
cohabits vs inhabit
'Inhabit' means to live in a place (animals inhabit the forest); 'cohabit' means to live together with someone, especially a partner.
Practice
Complete the sentence: After five years together, the couple still ____ in a small apartment near the university.
Choose one answer.
The subject 'the couple' is singular here and the sentence describes a current state, so the third-person singular 'cohabits' is correct. 'Cohabit' would need a plural subject, 'cohabiting' needs a helping verb, and 'cohabited' is past tense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cohabits”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.