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

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

Examples of abode in a Sentence

welcome to my humble abode

Recent Examples on the Web

Tucked away along Eucalyptus Hill Road, the abode is at once moody and modern. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 18 July 2025

Property records show that the famous abode was listed in 2013 before closing in 2016 for $3.75 million. —India Roby, Architectural Digest, 17 July 2025

This dreamy abode encompasses 1,800 square feet of pure FLW design. —AFAR Media, 14 July 2025

The abode is named after James J. Gaffney — better known as J.J. Gaffney — the architect who designed the home. —Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 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