hospitable

adjective

hos·pi·ta·ble | \ hä-ˈspi-tə-bəl

, ˈhä-(ˌ)spi-

Definition of hospitable

1a : 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

Other Words from hospitable Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about hospitable

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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

Takeda has been eager to raise its profile in the United States, the world’s most profitable drug market, as Japan has become less hospitable to pharmaceutical companies. — Jonathan Saltzman, BostonGlobe.com, "Takeda, already a giant in Mass. biopharma, plans a bigger footprint," 4 July 2019 That is why, today, the most urgent and exciting cosmic endeavors have to do not with carrying humans into space but bringing space closer to Earth, by finding proof that the universe contains Earthlike environments that may be hospitable to life. — Adam Kirsch, WSJ, "Our Quest for Meaning in the Heavens," 28 June 2019 But electoral politics is often not that hospitable to nerdy wonks. — Matthew Yglesias, Vox, "Elizabeth Warren proved she’s ready for the big show," 27 June 2019 Texas prides itself on being hospitable to business, and now that welcoming spirit will extend even to the littlest entrepreneurs. — Nr Editors, National Review, "The Week," 20 June 2019 Fifteen hundred years ago, the jungle would have been much more hospitable. — Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, "The Lost World of the Maya is Finally Emerging From the Jungle," 7 Feb. 2019 Are the animals living in natural, hospitable settings? — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, "Neglectful Sanctuaries and Poached Animals: New Report Reveals the Dark Side of Wildlife Tourism," 7 June 2019 Chinese companies flocked to the global capital markets in recent years because borrowing offshore was cheaper than in mainland China, where credit conditions were less hospitable. — Saumya Vaishampayan, WSJ, "Distress Signal: Risky Chinese Bonds Leave Investors Underwater," 29 Nov. 2018 My employer pays a lot of lip service to being a hospitable and inclusive workplace. — Rob Walker, The Seattle Times, "Asking for a raise when the boss won’t hear of it," 25 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hospitable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for hospitable

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 3, -able