abode

noun

ə-ˈbōd 

1

: the place where one lives : home

were reluctant to leave their lifelong abode

Welcome to my humble abode.

2

: a temporary stay : sojourn

… if any such dares to continue his abode in a family where his coming was an unauthorized intrusion …

—Walter Scott

3

obsolete : wait, delay

Synonyms

• diggings
• domicile
• dwelling
• fireside
• habitation
• hearth
• hearthstone
• home
• house
• lodging
• pad
• place
• quarters
• residence
• roof

Examples of abode in a Sentence

welcome to my humble abode

Recent Examples on the Web

Even as the idea of lockdown becomes a distant memory, her work still reads as a testament to rest and one’s own abode. —Leah Asmelash, CNN, 26 Feb. 2025

Posey still owns this abode, which Zillow currently values at an estimated $950,900. —Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 25 Feb. 2025

This merrily maximalist abode summons every hue under the sun. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 10 Feb. 2025

The International-style abode was also designated as an L.A. Historic-Cultural Landmark in 2020. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English abade, abode, from bade, bode "stay, delay" (going back to Old English bād "expectation, period of waiting," probably going back to Germanic *baiđ-, noun derivative from the base of *bīđ- "wait, bide") crossed with abiden "to abide"

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing abode

• no fixed abode
• place of abode

Rhymes for abode

• anode
• barcode
• bestowed
• boatload
• borrowed
• carload
• caseload
• cathode
• commode
• corrode
• crossroad
• decode

Kids Definition

abode

noun

ə-ˈbōd 

: the place where one stays or lives

Legal Definition

abode

past and past participle of abide