inhabitable
1 Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of inhabitable1
First recorded in 1400–50; inhabit ( def. ) + -able ( def. )
Origin of inhabitable2
First recorded in 1580–90; from French, from Latin inhabitābilis, from in- in- 3 ( def. ) + habitābilis habitable ( def. )
Explanation
Something inhabitable can be safely and comfortably lived in. After a major fire or a flood, it can take some time to make a house inhabitable again. The earth is inhabitable, but Mars is not. Your house is inhabitable, but your mom's pickup truck isn't really inhabitable. If you can inhabit, or live in a place, it's inhabitable, from the Latin inhabitare, "dwell in." An earlier definition of inhabitable meant completely the opposite: "not able to be lived in," from the roots in-, "not," and habitable, "fit to live in."
Vocabulary lists containing inhabitable
Content Summary G.4: Human Adaptations to the Physical Environment
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Vocabulary from Readings 1, Unit 1
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5.4: The Second Industrial Revolution (Sources 1–8)
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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.
After weeks of uncertainty, Lee finally received word that the house, while intact, was no longer inhabitable.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2025
The Canarias Se Agota movement believes the numbers of tourists are excessive, making the islands less inhabitable for locals, impacting the environment and pushing up housing costs.
From BBC • Apr. 12, 2024
To make this parcel inhabitable, the city would need to spend $122 million just on stormwater management, roads, water, sewage and power lines.
From Seattle Times • Dec. 21, 2023
Meier added that he would prefer the term "less inhabitable" rather than "uninhabitable," since humans could adapt to some of the changes they experience.
From Salon • Nov. 25, 2023
This route kept us clear from start to finish of inhabited, or inhabitable, country.
From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin
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.
