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

• diggings
• domicile
• dwelling
• fireside
• habitation
• hearth
• hearthstone
• home
• house
• lodging
• pad
• place
• quarters
• residence
• roof

Examples of abode in a Sentence

welcome to my humble abode

Recent Examples on the Web

The International-style abode was also designated as an L.A. Historic-Cultural Landmark in 2020. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 14 Feb. 2025

The Lowcountry city is one of the most popular destinations in the southeast, and its vacation rental scene comprises a wide swath of housing, from sprawling waterfront abodes to impressive, multi-story homes dating back to the 1800s (like the Whilden House). —Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 10 Feb. 2025

That six-bedroom, eight-bathroom abode — which sits just across the street from daughter Kim's family home was reportedly purchased by Katharina Harf — the daughter of Coty, Inc. CEO Peter Harf, whose beauty company acquired Kylie Cosmetics for $600 million in 2019. —Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025

The moon shone so bright on my foreign abode, Revealing the need for my assets’ full load. —Virginia La Torre Jeker, J.d., Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024

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

Kids Definition

abode

noun

ə-ˈbōd 

: the place where one stays or lives

Legal Definition

abode

past and past participle of abide