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 of abode

• residence
• dwelling
• house
• home
• lodging
• roof
• place

Examples of abode in a Sentence

welcome to my humble abode

Recent Examples on the Web

Best Hotels & Resorts The Promissory Hotel This boutique property is housed in a 1912 bank building with striking neoclassical design and 27 rooms, including loft-style abodes and two-bedroom suites. —Julekha Dash, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026

Inside the sparse, upscale abode, cardboard moving boxes are still scattered across the entryway, and his shelves lack ingredients. —Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026

Scientists have identified a group of worker honeybees that are specially adapted to build their queen's waxy abode within the hive. —ABC News, 3 June 2026

At the center of the abode is a circular, half-moon living room, anchored by a sculptural fireplace and with a small dining area off to the side. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 2 June 2026

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