ENGLISH
REFERENCE

habitable

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈhæbətəbəɫ// UK //hˈæbɪtəbəl// hab·it·able

adj. good enough for people to live in. You use this to describe a house or a planet that has everything needed for life.

adj. suitable or fit for residential occupation or living organisms. Often describes environments that provide necessary resources like water, air, and shelter.


SIMPLE

The old house is finally habitable after months of repairs.

CONTEXTUAL

Scientists are searching for other habitable planets in our galaxy that might have liquid water on their surface.

COMPLEX

While the structure remained standing after the earthquake, the lack of running water and electricity rendered the building temporarily habitable only for the most basic emergency shelter.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English abitable, habytable, from Middle French habitable, from Latin habitābilis (“habitable”), from habitō (“dwell, live”). By surface analysis, habit (“inhabit”) + able.

Usage

Often follows a linking verb like 'be', 'become', or 'remain'.

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