Word
inhabit
Phoneticsin·hab·it, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪnˈhæbət/
UK/ɪnhˈæbɪt/
Definition
v. to live in a specific place. It is often used to talk about animals or groups of people living in a certain area.
v. to live in or occupy a place or environment. Transitive; requires a direct object representing the location.
Examples
“Many different species of birds inhabit these islands.”
“The indigenous tribes that inhabit the remote regions of the rainforest have developed unique survival skills over centuries.”
“While humans inhabit almost every corner of the globe, the harshest desert environments remain home only to those specifically adapted to extreme aridity.”
Examples
simple
“Many different species of birds inhabit these islands.”
contextual
“The indigenous tribes that inhabit the remote regions of the rainforest have developed unique survival skills over centuries.”
complex
“While humans inhabit almost every corner of the globe, the harshest desert environments remain home only to those specifically adapted to extreme aridity.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object without a preposition.
Pitfall
They inhabit in the city
They inhabit the city
Inhabit is a transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'in'.
Real-World Examples
“The name is a reference to the land of the Wamanda people, who inhabit the region of Tanzania where the fossils were found.” “One occurs mainly in China, while the other inhabits the Himalayan foothills across parts of Nepal, India, Bhutan, and Myanmar.” Etymology
From Old French enhabiter, from Latin inhabitare (in + habitare).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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