hospitable

adjective

hos·​pi·​ta·​ble hä-ˈspi-tə-bəl  ˈhä-(ˌ)spi- 

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 

ˈhä-(ˌ)spi-

adverb

Synonyms of hospitable

• gracious

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

Repair bare spots in the lawn to make your yard less hospitable for ground-nesting bees. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2025

The public radio system was not especially hospitable to experimental work. —Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025

Deep in the Amish and Mennonite communities of Ohio and Indiana, the dessert menu at Das Dutchman Essenhaus, a hospitable chain of family-style restaurants, features a pecan pie of grand design. —Pervaiz Shallwani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Oct. 2025

Vacherot triumphed 6-3, 6-4, to reach his first ATP final at tour level, moving one match away from capping one of the most extraordinary performances of the year, in the part of the season most hospitable to the unexpected. —James Hansen, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025

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

Kids Definition

hospitable

adjective

hos·​pi·​ta·​ble hä-ˈspit-ə-bəl  ˈhäs-(ˌ)pit- 

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

-blē 

adverb