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

Speaking of humble abodes, Ivy Cottage is just down the road from Nottingham Cottage, a 1,324-square-foot property nicknamed Nott Cott that was made famous thanks to a visit from Oprah Winfrey. —Emma Banks, InStyle, 10 Feb. 2026

The necklace seems to almost drip with luxury, just like the sweating walls inside Cathy’s abode (no spoilers here, though). —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 10 Feb. 2026

The neighborhood also has a distinct housing style, with many abodes being shotguns, featuring side passages, or boasting brick-and-wood frames. —Lennie Omalza, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Feb. 2026

Their advice will help your abode feel comfy once more. —Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 4 Feb. 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