# habitable

/ˈhæbətəbəɫ/ (US) · /hˈæbɪtəbəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/habitable
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. fit for living in

adjective · CEFR B2

safe and comfortable enough for people to live in.

For teachers: suitable for human habitation; meeting the basic standards of safety, shelter, and comfort required for residence.

- After the repairs were finished, the old house was finally habitable again.
- The inspector declared the building habitable only after the landlord addressed the structural issues and restored the heating system.

### 2. supporting life

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

having the right conditions for life to exist, especially on other planets.

For teachers: capable of supporting or giving rise to life; often used in an astronomical or ecological context.

- Scientists are searching for habitable planets that might have water and air.
- Astrophysicists focus their search on the habitable zone, where temperatures allow liquid water to exist on a planet's surface.

## Examples

- The old house is finally habitable after months of repairs.
- Scientists are searching for other habitable planets in our galaxy that might have liquid water on their surface.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.