abide

IPA/əˈbaɪd/
KK[əbˈaɪd]IPA/əˈbaɪd/

abide — verb

  • abidepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • abideshe / she / it
  • abidedpast simple
  • abiding-ing form

1. to feel such strong dislike for a person or a thing that you will not allow them

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to feel such strong dislike for a person or a thing that you will not allow them near you — used only with 'can't' or 'cannot' in negative statements

Example

Layla can't abide people who play loud music from their phones on the train.

can't abide + noun phrase (people who...)

Elena cannot abide cigarette smoke, so she always chooses a seat in the non-smoking area.

Common collocations
  • can't abide
  • cannot abide
Synonyms
  • can't stand

    more common and neutral in register

  • can't bear

    suggests emotional distress or pain

  • detest

    stronger and more formal (C1)

  • loathe

    the strongest option, implying disgust (C1/C2)

Antonyms
  • tolerate

    to accept something unpleasant without complaint

  • like

    mild opposite, neutral register

Grammar Patterns

can't abide + noun phrase

can't abide + -ing form

Usage Note

Almost always appears in negative constructions with 'can't' or 'cannot'. The affirmative form ('I abide...') is archaic and not used in modern English with this meaning. Takes a noun phrase or an -ing form as its object, never a to-infinitive.

Common Mistakes

I can't abide to wait for the bus.
I can't abide waiting for the bus.
'abide' in this sense takes an -ing form, not a to-infinitive.
I can abide laziness.
I can't abide laziness.
using this sense without a negative auxiliary sounds archaic and incorrect in modern English.

2. to make a place your home or to remain in a location for an extended period, esp

2.verbintransitiveC1
Definition

to make a place your home or to remain in a location for an extended period, especially in stories or formal writing

Example

For centuries the monks abided in a mountain monastery, far from worldly noise.

abided in [place] — formal/literary register

The old fisherman had long abided beside the same stretch of river.

Common collocations
  • abide in
  • abide among
  • abide beside
Synonyms
  • dwell

    similar literary/formal register

  • reside

    formal, common in legal contexts

  • live

    neutral and most common in everyday speech

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

abide + in/at/among + place

Usage Note

Subject is typically a person or a group. The verb is intransitive and usually takes a place phrase, especially with 'in' or 'among'. In modern everyday English, 'live' or 'stay' are far more common; this sense belongs to formal, literary, or historical registers.

Common Mistakes

We abided the town for three days.
We abided in the town for three days.
this sense is intransitive and needs a preposition before the location.
I abided at my friend's house last night.
I stayed at my friend's house last night.
using 'abide' for a short casual visit sounds unnatural and overly formal.
Phrasal verbs

abide by

phrasal verb

to obey a rule, an agreement, or a decision and act according to it

All residents must abide by the building's fire-safety rules.

Nadia agreed to abide by the judge's final decision.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

'Can't stand' is the most common and neutral way to express strong dislike, at A2–B1 level. 'Can't abide' is slightly more formal and appears more often in British English, always used in negative constructions. 'Can't bear' adds a sense of emotional pain — you can't bear the thought of something happening, not just the thing itself. 'Detest' (C1) implies a deep, settled aversion rather than a reaction to a specific situation. 'Loathe' (C1–C2) is the strongest, suggesting disgust or revulsion. For example: 'I can't stand the noise from the construction site' (everyday complaint), 'I can't abide people who interrupt' (a bit more formal), 'I loathe the smell of burnt toast' (strong disgust).

can't standcan't beardetest ↗loathe ↗

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Abide comes from Old English 'abīdan', a combination of the prefix 'a-' (indicating completeness or intensity) and 'bīdan' (to wait, to remain). The original sense was 'to wait for' or 'to remain in place'. Over time, the meaning of 'enduring a wait' developed into 'to tolerate' (sense 1), while the older 'to remain' meaning survived in formal and literary use (sense 2). The word is related to 'bide', 'abode', and shares ancient Germanic roots with German 'bleiben' (to stay).