shack up

verb

shacked up; shacking up; shacks up

intransitive verb

: to sleep or live together as unmarried sexual partners

Examples of shack up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Architect and exhibition designer Wendy Evan Joseph, who’s worked on prominent projects like the Smithsonian Design Museum, has also shacked up in the post-war high-rise, in a sprawling duplex penthouse now available for $15 million with Frances Katzen of Douglas Elliman. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 2 Mar. 2026

After 40 years beachside (and gaining a casual, semi-riotous rep for all the day-drinking amid the sand and surf), the Independent Spirit Awards has shacked up at the Hollywood Palladium. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 16 Feb. 2026

These eight spots offer exemplary versions, found at seafood counters in the city, and on oyster farms and in fish shacks up and down the coast. —Becky Duffett, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

Max is back on her skateboard, Hop and Joyce have shacked up, and everyone seems really happy. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 31 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for shack up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup