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

Based on the breakout indie horror game of the same name by David Szymanski, the story unfolds in a post-apocalyptic future following ‘The Quiet Rapture’, an event that causes stars and habitable planets to vanish. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026

For the state of Missouri, the laws on renting say that landlords are required to make properties habitable before tenants move in. —Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 20 Jan. 2026

This pattern could exist elsewhere, too, on other habitable exoplanets with similar properties to Earth. —Devika Rao, TheWeek, 20 Jan. 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, 19 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