hospitality
Americannoun
-
the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers.
Hospitality at the hotel is fantastic, with staff who offered us refreshing drinks and comfortable chairs while we waited to check in.
-
the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.
In many cultures, hospitality plays a significant role in social interactions, as individuals are often judged by their ability to extend kindness and generosity toward others.
- Synonyms:
- friendliness, geniality, cordiality, warmth
-
the business or act of providing accommodation, food, drink, and other services to guests (often used attributively).
She has held several executive-level positions in hospitality.
This course will appeal to students who want to make a career for themselves in the hospitality industry.
noun
-
kindness in welcoming strangers or guests
-
receptiveness
Etymology
Origin of hospitality
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English hospitalite, from Middle French, from Latin hospitālitās, from hospitāli(s) “of a guest, hospitable” ( see hospital) + -tās -ty 2
Explanation
A reputation for hospitality means you're known for being kind and welcoming to visitors, which may also mean that you always have a full house at Thanksgiving. Hospitalitem is a Latin word meaning "friendliness to guests," so it's not hard to see where the word hospitality comes from. Showing hospitality involves making others feel comfortable and welcome in your home. If you're grumpy and prefer to be left alone, this word probably won't ever be used to describe you, nor are you likely headed for a career in the hospitality industry.
Vocabulary lists containing hospitality
I Am Malala
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Unit 1: Telling Details
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The Lightning Thief
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The hospital is in a transitional period,” said the event’s producer Oshri Elmorich, a singer and founder of the hospitality group Royva, during a recent tour of the site.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
Agilysys jumped 29% after the hospitality software provider beat earnings and revenue estimates in its fiscal fourth quarter.
From Barron's • May 19, 2026
In July 2016, best-selling author and wellness guru Deepak Chopra contacted Jeffrey Epstein, the wealthy financier and convicted sex offender, to thank him for his hospitality.
From Salon • May 19, 2026
At the lower end are the retail, hospitality and construction workers who service them but are finding it increasingly difficult to stay.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
“What a pleasure,” the man said with an air of mocking hospitality.
From "Son" by Lois Lowry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
