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

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 Mar. 2026

Unfortunately, since the book version of Project Hail Mary was published in 2021, scientists have determined that Tau Ceti probably doesn’t have planets in its habitable zone after all. —Joanna Thompson, Space.com, 28 Mar. 2026

By trapping radiation from the Sun and from deep space, our planet’s magnetic field is part of what makes Earth habitable for us and other life forms. —Scott Solomon, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026

And at least two of them, Mimas and Enceladus, have recently been in the news as potential harborers of water – a sign that the worlds could be habitable. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 26 Mar. 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