WordLens

cognate

1 of 2noun
/ˈkɑɡneɪt/
Forms:cognates
1

a word that shares the same origin as another word in a different language

  • Linguists often compare cognates across different languages to trace their historical connections.
  • The study of cognates reveals how languages evolve and diverge from a common ancestor.
  • Students learning multiple languages often find it helpful to identify cognates for building their vocabulary.
  • English and German have many cognates, such as "mother" and "Mutter," which share a common linguistic origin.
  • Recognizing cognates can make it easier to understand the meaning of words in a foreign language.
Synonyms:
2

one related by blood or origin; especially on sharing an ancestor with another