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 of habitable

• inhabitable

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

Later in April, however, Isaacman confirmed at a congressional hearing that the aluminum shells of the only two habitable Gateway modules that had been delivered to NASA so far (both of which were built by Europe’s Thales Alenia Space) were corroded. —Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 11 May 2026

Since Ganymede likely hides a vast ocean beneath its ice shell, understanding how its magnetic field survives could offer clues about potentially habitable environments elsewhere in the solar system. —Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 10 May 2026

Curiosity is focused on understanding whether Mars once offered habitable conditions, studying ancient environments that could have supported microbial life. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 1 May 2026

The mission’s detailed investigation of Europa will help scientists better understand the astrobiological potential for habitable worlds beyond our planet. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for habitable

• uninhabitable

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