Cohabitant: meaning, definitions and examples

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cohabitant

 

[kəʊˈhæbɪtənt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

living arrangement

A cohabitant is a person who shares a residence with another individual, typically in a romantic relationship without being married. This term is often used in legal contexts to describe those living together as partners in a domestic setting.

Synonyms

companion, partner, roommate, significant other.

Examples of usage

  • They are cohabitants in a cozy apartment.
  • The cohabitants decided to move in together after dating for a year.
  • Legal rights for cohabitants can vary by jurisdiction.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • Derived from the Latin word 'cohabitare,' meaning 'to dwell together,' which combines 'co-' (together) and 'habitare' (to inhabit).
  • The term has been used since the 15th century, originally implying just living together without the connotation of a romantic relationship.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In many cultures, being a cohabitant is becoming increasingly accepted as a normal part of relationships.
  • Some societies still frown upon cohabitation outside of marriage, emphasizing the value placed on formal partnerships.

Legal Implications

  • In many regions, cohabitants may have different legal rights compared to married couples, particularly regarding property and inheritance.
  • Some jurisdictions offer cohabitation agreements that outline the rights and responsibilities of each partner.

Social Trends

  • Statistics show that cohabitation before marriage has significantly increased over the last few decades, signaling changing attitudes towards relationships.
  • Many younger generations view cohabitation as a trial period to evaluate compatibility before making a long-term commitment.

Psychology

  • Cohabitants often experience different emotional dynamics compared to married couples, which can result in unique stressors and benefits.
  • Research suggests that cohabitation can affect an individual's perception of relationships and future commitment styles.

Translations

Translations of the word "cohabitant" in other languages:

🇵🇹 coabitante

🇮🇳 साथी

🇩🇪 Mitbewohner

🇮🇩 rekan tinggal

🇺🇦 співмешканець

🇵🇱 współlokator

🇯🇵 同居人

🇫🇷 cohabitant(e)

🇪🇸 cohabitant(e)

🇹🇷 birlikte yaşayan

🇰🇷 동거인

🇸🇦 شريك السكن

🇨🇿 spolubydlící

🇸🇰 spolubývajúci

🇨🇳 同居人

🇸🇮 sodelavec

🇮🇸 sambýlingur

🇰🇿 бірге тұратын

🇬🇪 თანამყოფი

🇦🇿 birgə yaşayan

🇲🇽 cohabitant(e)

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,179, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.