1. having the same linguistic derivation as another; from the same original word or root
Usage: linguistics
2. of the same or similar nature; closely akin
Usage: formal

1. a word having the same linguistic derivation as another
Usage: linguistics
2. a person of the same blood or family; a relative
Usage: formal; archaic

Examples

• English ‘father’ and German ‘Vater’ are cognate words.
• The Spanish word ‘madre’ is cognate with English ‘mother’.
• These cognate languages share many similar vocabulary items.
• The researcher studied cognate forms across different dialects.
• Night and German ‘Nacht’ are cognates from the same root.
• The two theories are cognate in their basic assumptions.