hospitable

adjective

hos·​pi·​ta·​ble hä-ˈspi-tə-bəl  ˈhä-(ˌ)spi- 

1

a

: given to generous and cordial reception of guests

a kind, hospitable people

They are hospitable … : give a guest everything, and leave him free to do as he likes.

—Bram Stoker

b

: promising or suggesting generous and friendly welcome

hospitable faces

c

: offering a pleasant or sustaining environment

grows in even the least hospitable climates

2

: readily receptive : open

hospitable to new ideas

hospitably

hä-ˈspi-tə-blē 

ˈhä-(ˌ)spi-

adverb

Synonyms

• affable
• cordial
• genial
• gracious
• sociable

Examples of hospitable in a Sentence

The people of that country are very hospitable.

It's a hearty plant that grows in even the least hospitable climates.

elderly people moving to Florida for its hospitable climate

Recent Examples on the Web

In an even less hospitable part of Utah Territory, an injured horse prompts Isaac to stop for the night, the rest of which is spent getting to know his companions a bit better. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 10 Jan. 2025

The weather was relatively hospitable for late December on the future site of the Mall of America. —Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, 9 Jan. 2025

The aim is to revitalize areas that have traditionally been seen as less hospitable for wildlife and pollinator insects, transforming them into thriving ecosystems. —Daniela De Lorenzo, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

With water, an energy source in the form of heat, and potentially organic compounds, scientists say Europa could be hospitable for alien life. —Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin hospitābilis, from hospitāre "to lodge, reside, give lodging to, house" (going back to Latin hospitārī "to put up as a guest, give lodging to," derivative of hospit-, hospes "guest, host") + Latin -bilis "capable (of acting) or worthy (of being acted upon)" — more at host entry 1, -able

First Known Use

circa 1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

hospitable

adjective

hos·​pi·​ta·​ble hä-ˈspit-ə-bəl  ˈhäs-(ˌ)pit- 

1

: generous and friendly in entertaining guests

2

a

: pleasant sense 2, inviting

a hospitable inn

b

: offering a pleasant or healthful environment

a hospitable climate

3

: open entry 1 sense 7

hospitable to new ideas

hospitably

-blē 

adverb