hospitable

adjective

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

Synonyms of hospitable

: 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

: promising or suggesting generous and friendly welcome

hospitable faces

: offering a pleasant or sustaining environment

grows in even the least hospitable climates

: readily receptive : open

hospitable to new ideas

hospitably

hä-ˈspi-tə-blē

ˈhä-(ˌ)spi-

adverb

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The arrival of more hospitable temperatures was a relief for first responders at the fest’s first aid station. — Jim Dudlicek, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026 Several artists and festival organizers noted that this weekend’s temperatures, hovering around the mid-80s, are much more hospitable than the near-triple digits that have been observed some years. — Sacbee.com, 6 Sep. 2026 All this to say that London famously remains at once hospitable to the outsider and adept at keeping him or her on the surface. — Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026 In his essay for Bon Appétit, James Beard-winning author and writer Adam Reiner explores how restaurant workers tangle with boundaries while remaining hospitable. — Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hospitable

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of hospitable was circa 1570

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

hospice

hospitable

hospitableness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hospitable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hospitable. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hospitable

adjective

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

: generous and friendly in entertaining guests

: pleasant sense 2, inviting

a hospitable inn

: offering a pleasant or healthful environment

a hospitable climate

: open entry 1 sense 7

hospitable to new ideas

hospitably

-blē

adverb

hospitable

adjective

Synonyms of hospitable

Examples of hospitable in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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