hospitable

[hos-pi-tuh-buhl, ho-spit-uh-buhl]

adjective

1. receiving or treating guests or strangers warmly and generously.

   a hospitable family.

2. characterized by or betokening warmth and generosity toward guests or strangers.

   a hospitable smile.

3. favorably receptive or open (usually followed byto ).

   to be hospitable to new ideas; a climate hospitable to the raising of corn.

hospitable

/ ˈhɒspɪtəbəl, hɒˈspɪt- /

adjective

1. welcoming to guests or strangers

2. fond of entertaining

3. receptive

   hospitable to new ideas

Other Word Forms

• hospitableness noun
• hospitably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of hospitable¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin hospitā(re) “to receive as guest” (compare Latin hospitārī “to be a guest”; hospitium ) + -ble

Word History and Origins

Origin of hospitable¹

C16: from Medieval Latin hospitāre to receive as a guest, from Latin hospes guest, _host ¹

Example Sentences

But some technology executives see a place where energy would be cheap, temperatures hospitable and community backlash nonexistent: outer space.

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At Panera, the sandwich and soup chain is putting a greater emphasis on getting customers’ orders right and being hospitable.

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It turns out skunks can be quite hospitable.

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There are many obstacles to making campuses more hospitable.

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By breaking down minerals, releasing nutrients, and helping to create the first soils, these ancient fungi played a key role in making Earth a more hospitable place for future life.

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• congenial 
• courteous 
• friendly 
• neighborly