Cognate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈkäg-ˌnāt/ cog·nate

Meaning & Definition of Cognate

Cognate (adjective)

  1. of the same or similar nature, generically alike
  2. related by blood; also, related on the mother's side
  3. related by descent from the same ancestral language

Cognate (noun)

  1. one that is cognate with another

Word Forms of Cognate

Derived words: cognately (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Cognate

Latin cognatus, from co- + gnatus, natus, past participle of nasci to be born; akin to Latin gignere to beget kin

First known use: circa 1645

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Cognate

Frequently Asked Questions about Cognate

What does "Cognate" mean?

"Cognate" means of the same or similar nature, generically alike. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: of the same or similar nature, generically alike. It has 4 distinct senses.

Is "Cognate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Cognate" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Cognate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Cognate" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Cognate"?

"Cognate" is pronounced /ˈkäg-ˌnāt/ and divided into syllables as cog·nate.

What is the origin of the word "Cognate"?

"Cognate" comes from Latin cognatus, from co- + gnatus, natus, past participle of nasci to be born; akin to Latin gignere to beget kin. First known use: circa 1645.

What does "Cognate" mean as an adjective?

As an adjective, "Cognate" means: of the same or similar nature, generically alike; related by blood; also, related on the mother's side; related by descent from the same ancestral language.

What does "Cognate" mean as a noun?

As a noun, "Cognate" means: one that is cognate with another.

What CEFR level is "Cognate"?

"Cognate" is a C2-level word in SophDict's CEFR vocabulary lists, which group English words from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficient).