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

These adaptations can include constructing flood-resistant infrastructure, developing technological innovations, or even migrating to more hospitable regions. —Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025

Norbert and many other beloved online dogs — all blissfully unaware of their internet fame, or the internet at all — cut through a digital landscape growing less hospitable by the day. —Maya Salam, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025

These climatic shifts also make the surrounding environment less hospitable, further jeopardizing its growth. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

Meanwhile, the Baltimore around him doesn’t feel that hospitable anymore anyway. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2025

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