cognate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "cognate" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective meaning closely related or similar and can be used to describe people, words, ideas, or things. Example sentence: The Spanish and Italian languages have many cognate words.

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Which is different from Mayan and Aztec religious belief, but in many ways cognate.

The Economist

Through its state associations, the AMA controlled entry into the profession and dominated cognate professions like nursing, X-ray technology and occupational therapy.

The Economist

In Vedic terminology this seat was called the barhish (Avestan barzish, "cushion"), while in Zoroastrianism a cognate word, Avestan barəsman (Iranian barzman), is used for a bundle of sticks—later thin metal rods that is manipulated by the priest.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Remnant groups kept the cultural thread as a continuum up to about 1200, but by then, except for their languages, they could no longer be regarded as cognate with the earlier Maya.

Encyclopedia Britannica

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, this is the oldest description recorded for instinct, making it cognate with instigate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The correspondences of sounds in cognate Uralic words are illustrated in the table.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When there is no known source form or cognate for a word, scholars often suggest an Iberian, Dacian, Ligurian, or Gaulish origin, but, as little is known of these languages, some such theories are mere speculation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Aleut m corresponds with Eskimo m and v; to Eskimo p corresponds the Aleut h (in initial position) and the Aleut aspirated nasal sound hm (pronounced with an accompanying puff of air)—e.g., Aleut hum- "to swell" corresponds to Yupik puve-; Aleut ahmat- "to ask" is cognate with Yupik apete-.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Moreover, the deep (tehom in Hebrew) is the same as the primordial dragon called Tiamat (cognate to the Hebrew tehom) in the Babylonian epic of creation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In such countries as the United States, Australia, Nigeria, Mexico, and Brazil, the term state (or a cognate) also refers to political units, not sovereign themselves, but subject to the authority of the larger state, or federal union.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The first step is to find sets of cognate or putatively cognate forms in the languages or dialects being compared: for example, Latin decem = Greek deka = Sanskrit daśa = Gothic taihun, all meaning "ten".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the historical relationship between languages, use "cognate" to specifically indicate words or linguistic features that share a common ancestor.

Common error

Avoid using "cognate" to describe any general similarity between words or concepts. "Cognate" specifically refers to a shared etymological origin, not just a superficial resemblance.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "cognate" primarily functions to describe a relationship between words or concepts that share a common origin or are derived from the same source. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

35%

Science

35%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

7%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cognate" functions as an adjective indicating a shared origin between words, concepts, or entities. It's grammatically sound and frequently employed, particularly in encyclopedic and scientific contexts. Ludwig provides examples across different sources, affirming its consistent usage. To ensure accurate and effective communication, remember that "cognate" specifically denotes a shared etymological origin rather than a general similarity. According to Ludwig AI, the word's usage in modern English is correct and has a high usability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

related

This term is a general descriptor of a connection between two or more things without necessarily implying a common origin.

akin

This word suggests a resemblance in quality or character, often implying a loose or indirect connection.

allied

This term implies a formal association or cooperation, often in a political or military context.

analogous

This word indicates a similarity in some respects between things otherwise dissimilar.

corresponding

This term suggests a direct relationship or similarity between two things.

interconnected

This phrase emphasizes the mutual connections and interdependence between different entities or concepts.

associated

This term denotes a connection or relationship, often without specifying the nature of that relationship.

parallel

This word suggests a similarity or analogy, often implying a side-by-side comparison.

correlated

This term indicates a statistical relationship between two or more variables.

homologous

This word is often used in biology to describe structures with a common ancestry, similar to the linguistic use of "cognate".

FAQs

How do you use "cognate" in a sentence?

You can use "cognate" to describe words from different languages that share a common origin, such as "English 'father' and German 'Vater' are "cognate" words."

What's the difference between "cognate" and "related" when describing languages?

"Related" is a broader term indicating any connection between languages, while "cognate" specifically refers to words or linguistic features that share a common ancestor. Languages can be "related" through borrowing or contact, but "cognate" implies a shared historical root.

What can I say instead of "cognate" when discussing similarities between languages?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like ""related"", "akin", or "similar". However, remember that "cognate" has a specific meaning related to shared etymological origins.

Is it correct to say that two concepts are "cognate"?

While primarily used in linguistics, "cognate" can be used more broadly to describe concepts that share a common origin or are closely related in nature. For example, you might say that two scientific theories have "cognate" roots.