Abide vs. Dwell — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 28, 2024
Abide emphasizes compliance or adherence to a rule or situation, while dwell focuses on living or staying in a place.
Difference Between Abide and Dwell
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Abide is often used to signify conforming to rules or tolerating a situation, highlighting a sense of enduring or standing by something. Whereas, dwell primarily refers to the act of living or staying in a particular place, emphasizing the physical presence or occupation of space.
Abide can also suggest a figurative dwelling in terms of loyalty or adherence to principles or beliefs. On the other hand, dwell is more literal, focusing on habitation within a physical environment, such as a house or location.
In a legal or formal context, to abide by something means to obey or follow a set of rules, decisions, or laws. Meanwhile, dwell doesn't have such connotations, as it simply indicates the act of residing or spending time in a place.
When it comes to duration, abide implies a more permanent or long-term commitment, such as abiding by a contract or rule. Dwell, however, can suggest either a temporary or permanent stay, without necessarily implying a commitment beyond living in a place.
Abide evokes a sense of mental or emotional state when one 'abides in patience' or 'abides by faith,' indicating an enduring attitude. Dwell, conversely, is rarely used in such abstract terms, maintaining its focus on the physical aspect of remaining in a location.
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
To conform to or stick with
To live in or at a specified place
Usage Context
Legal, emotional, or figurative
Physical, literal habitation
Connotation
Commitment, endurance
Physical presence, habitation
Duration
Long-term or permanent
Can be temporary or permanent
Focus
Compliance, adherence
Physical occupation of space
Compare with Definitions
Abide
To remain stable or fixed in a state.
A memory that abides with me.
Dwell
To exist in a specified place or state.
True happiness dwells within.
Abide
To tolerate; to bear.
She can hardly abide their behavior.
Dwell
To inhabit a particular place or condition.
Creatures that dwell in the depths of the ocean.
Abide
To accept or act in accordance with (a rule, decision, or recommendation).
I will abide by their decision.
Dwell
To spend a lot of time on a particular point or idea.
Let's not dwell on the past.
Abide
To dwell emotionally or mentally.
He abides in a state of bliss.
Dwell
To linger over, ponder.
She dwelled on the thought of seeing him again.
Abide
To continue without fading or being lost.
The impact of his words abides.
Dwell
To live or stay as a permanent resident.
They dwell in the mountains.
Abide
To put up with; tolerate
Can't abide such incompetence.
Dwell
To live as a resident; reside.
Abide
To wait patiently for
"I will abide the coming of my lord" (Tennyson).
Dwell
To exist in a given place or state
Dwell in joy.
Abide
To remain in a place
"I'll call upon you straight. Abide within" (Shakespeare).
Dwell
To fasten one's attention on something, especially moodily or persistently
Kept dwelling on what went wrong.
Abide
To continue in existence; endure
"I have decided my life can't be about absence, what I don't have, what does not abide, and the rich grief it brings" (Amy Benson).
Dwell
To speak or write at length; expatiate
Dwelt on the need to trim the budget.
Abide
To dwell or reside.
Dwell
(engineering) A period of time in which a system or component remains in a given state.
Abide
(transitive) To endure without yielding; to withstand.
The old oak tree abides the wind endlessly.
Dwell
(engineering) A brief pause in the motion of part of a mechanism to allow an operation to be completed.
Abide
(transitive) To bear patiently.
Dwell
(electrical engineering) A planned delay in a timed control program.
Abide
(transitive) To pay for; to stand the consequences of.
Dwell
(automotive) In a petrol engine, the period of time the ignition points are closed to let current flow through the ignition coil in between each spark. This is measured as an angle in degrees around the camshaft in the distributor which controls the points, for example in a 4-cylinder engine it might be 55° (spark at 90° intervals, points closed for 55° between each).
Abide
To wait in expectation.
Dwell
To live; to reside.
Abide
To pause; to delay.
Dwell
On To linger on a particular thought, idea, etc.; to remain fixated on something.
Steven, stop dwelling on the past!
But you stole my kidney!
But you stole my kidney!
Abide
To stay; to continue in a place; to remain stable or fixed in some state or condition; to be left.
Dwell
To be in a given state.
Abide
To have one's abode.
Dwell
(intransitive) To abide; to remain; to continue.
Abide
To endure; to remain; to last.
Dwell
To delay; to linger.
Abide
To stand ready for; to await for someone; watch for.
Dwell
To abide; to remain; to continue.
I 'll rather dwell in my necessity.
Thy soul was like a star and dwelt apart.
Abide
To endure or undergo a hard trial or a task; to stand up under.
Dwell
To abide as a permanent resident, or for a time; to live in a place; to reside.
The parish in which I was born, dwell, and have possessions.
The poor man dwells in a humble cottage near the hall where the lord of the domain resides.
They stand at a distance, dwelling on his looks and language, fixed in amazement.
Abide
To await submissively; accept without question; submit to.
Dwell
To inhabit.
Abide
To wait; to pause; to delay.
Dwell
Think moodily or anxiously about something
Abide
To stay; to continue in a place; to have one's abode; to dwell; to sojourn; - with with before a person, and commonly with at or in before a place.
Let the damsel abide with us a few days.
Dwell
Originate (in);
The problems dwell in the social injustices in this country
Abide
To remain stable or fixed in some state or condition; to continue; to remain.
Let every man abide in the same calling.
The poor fellow was obstinate enough to abide by what he said at first.
Dwell
Make one's home or live in;
She resides officially in Iceland
I live in a 200-year old house
These people inhabited all the islands that are now deserted
The plains are sparsely populated
Abide
To wait for; to be prepared for; to await; to watch for; as, I abide my time.
Bonds and afflictions abide me.
Dwell
Come back to;
Don't dwell on the past
She is always harping on the same old things
Abide
To endure; to sustain; to submit to.
[Thou] shalt abide her judgment on it.
Abide
To bear patiently; to tolerate; to put up with.
She could not abide Master Shallow.
Abide
To stand the consequences of; to answer for; to suffer for.
Dearly I abide that boast so vain.
Abide
Dwell;
You can stay with me while you are in town
Stay a bit longer--the day is still young
Abide
Put up with something or somebody unpleasant;
I cannot bear his constant criticism
The new secretary had to endure a lot of unprofessional remarks
He learned to tolerate the heat
She stuck out two years in a miserable marriage
Common Curiosities
Is abide always about following rules?
Not always; it can also refer to enduring a situation or remaining loyal to a principle.
Can abide and dwell be used interchangeably?
They are not generally interchangeable due to their different focuses (adherence vs. habitation).
How does dwell differ from live?
Dwell often connotes a deeper, sometimes more reflective or spiritual living, whereas live is more generic.
What does it mean to abide in something?
To abide in something means to remain continuously or to stay faithful to a belief or state.
What's the difference between dwelling in a house and living in one?
Dwelling emphasizes the place of residence, often with a deeper connection, while living is more general.
Does dwell only refer to physical spaces?
Primarily, yes, but it can also refer to dwelling on thoughts or feelings.
Can someone dwell on emotions?
Yes, one can dwell on emotions by continuously thinking or pondering over them.
How can abide be used in a sentence about patience?
"She abides with great patience, waiting for news."
Can dwell be used in a figurative sense?
Yes, dwell can be used figuratively to mean lingering over thoughts or ideas.
What does 'abide by the law' mean?
It means to conform to or follow the rules set by the law.
What is an example of abiding faith?
An unwavering, continuous belief in something, regardless of circumstances.
What does it mean to not abide someone?
It means not to tolerate or endure someone's presence or behavior.
Is dwelling on something considered positive or negative?
It can be either, depending on context, but often it's used negatively to imply excessive focus.
Can abide have a permanent implication?
Yes, it often implies a long-term commitment or endurance.
Is it common to use dwell in everyday conversation?
Less so than live; dwell is more formal or literary.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
