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

Formosan and Asian termites are almost entirely restricted to tropical climates, but the invasive insects have consistently arrived to newly habitable regions due to warming temperatures caused by climate change. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 5 Feb. 2026

On the other hand, there's a 51% chance that HD 137010b is in the 'optimistic' habitable zone, a wider band where planetary rotation limits the greenhouse effect on the inner edge and geothermal activity can keep a planet warm on the outer edge. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026

The discovery adds to the evidence that Mars may have once been a habitable planet capable of supporting life. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 4 Feb. 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, 30 Jan. 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