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

Working with the firm Faulkner Architects, the homeowners ended up with a contemporary, angular abode that cuts a striking silhouette among the nearby rolling hills. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2026

But the induction stovetop, Nespresso machine, dishwasher, flat-screen TV equipped with Chromecast, Wi-Fi, washing machine, electric towel warmer, and combination air conditioner-heater—thank goodness for it—kept this abode firmly in the 21st century. —Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Mar. 2026

After vacating her cozy abode in the early ’60s, Horne later relocated to Manhattan’s Upper East Side. —India Roby, Architectural Digest, 18 Mar. 2026

Written and illustrated by Patricia Polacco The Peabody hotel in Memphis has a small flock of dapper ducks who march down from their rooftop abode to hold court in the lobby fountain each day. —Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 15 Mar. 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