habitable

adjective

hab·​it·​able ˈha-bə-tə-bəl 

 also  hə-ˈbi-tə-

: capable of being lived in : suitable for habitation

habitability

ˌha-bə-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

habitableness

ˈha-bə-tə-bəl-nes 

noun

habitably

ˈha-bə-tə-blē 

 also  hə-ˈbi-tə-

adverb

Synonyms

• inhabitable
• livable
• liveable

Examples of habitable in a Sentence

The house is not habitable.

the frigid Arctic is not habitable for amphibians and reptiles—or for humans, either, for that matter

Recent Examples on the Web

Four adjacent units sustained light smoke damage but were habitable. —Jason Green, The Mercury News, 18 Oct. 2024

Scientists are now turning their gaze not only to Europa, but to other ocean-bearing icy moons such as Saturn’s Titan and Enceladus—each of which could be habitable (and inhabited) today. —Nadia Drake, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2024

Our research also showed that tenants with prior eviction records were often hesitant to assert their right to habitable housing. —Alexa Eisenberg, The Conversation, 18 Sep. 2024

Because some places are no longer habitable (too hot, too stormy, too wet, too dry), policies reflect the humanitarian necessity for people to migrate. —Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, TIME, 17 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

habitable

adjective

hab·​it·​able ˈhab-ət-ə-bəl 

: suitable or fit to live in

a habitable cave

habitability

ˌhab-ət-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

Legal Definition

habitable

adjective

hab·​it·​able ˈha-bi-tə-bəl 

: suitable and fit for a person to live in : free of defects that endanger the health and safety of occupants see also warranty of habitability at warranty

habitability

ˌha-bi-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

habitableness noun

habitably adverb