hospitable

adjective

hos·​pi·​ta·​ble hä-ˈspi-tə-bəl How to pronounce hospitable (audio) ˈhä-(ˌ)spi- How to pronounce hospitable (audio)
1
a
: 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
hospitably
hä-ˈspi-tə-blē How to pronounce hospitable (audio)
ˈhä-(ˌ)spi-
adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Those proteins—called effectors—attack specific targets that collectively disable the host's defense responses and make the host more hospitable for its bacterial conqueror. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 14 May 2025 There must be a penalty until the campus is shown to be hospitable to Jewish students. Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 11 May 2025 Thanks to Baum’s work, Jockey’s Ridge remains hospitable to more than 160 types of birds, and 38 types of reptiles and amphibians call it home, along with otters, coyotes, foxes, rabbits and even at least one bobcat. Amy Brecount White, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 May 2025 In the South, our houses are all about the exterior charm which sets the tone for the inviting and hospitable interior beyond the front door. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hospitable

Word History

Etymology

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 1, -able

First Known Use

circa 1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of hospitable was circa 1570

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hospitable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hospitable. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

hospitable

adjective
hos·​pi·​ta·​ble hä-ˈspit-ə-bəl How to pronounce hospitable (audio) ˈhäs-(ˌ)pit- How to pronounce hospitable (audio)
1
: generous and friendly in entertaining guests
2
a
: pleasant sense 2, inviting
a hospitable inn
b
: offering a pleasant or healthful environment
a hospitable climate
3
: open entry 1 sense 7
hospitable to new ideas
hospitably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on hospitable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!