1 hospitable | Definition of hospitable

hospitable

adjective
hos·​pi·​ta·​ble | \ hä-ˈspi-tə-bəl How to pronounce hospitable (audio) , ˈhä-(ˌ)spi- How to pronounce hospitable (audio) \

Definition of hospitable

1a : 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
b : promising or suggesting generous and friendly welcome hospitable faces
c : offering a pleasant or sustaining environment grows in even the least hospitable climates
2 : readily receptive : open hospitable to new ideas

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Other Words from hospitable

hospitably \ hä-​ˈspi-​tə-​blē How to pronounce hospitably (audio) , ˈhä-​(ˌ)spi-​ \ adverb

Synonyms & Antonyms for hospitable

Synonyms

affable, cordial, genial, gracious, sociable

Antonyms

inhospitable, ungenial, ungracious, unsociable

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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
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Recent Examples on the Web

Under the new district lines, Cox and five other Republicans are running in territory that is more hospitable to Democrats. Laura Vozzella, Washington Post, "National gay rights group makes big play in Virginia legislative races," 14 Aug. 2019 In lieu of that, Peirce is concerned that the U.S. runs the risk of falling behind its global counterparts in providing a financial regulatory framework that enables, and is hospitable to, innovation. Rey Mashayekhi, Fortune, "U.S. Risks Falling Behind the World in Embracing Crypto, Warns “Crypto Mom” SEC Commissioner," 16 July 2019 These northwesterly winds near the surface also promote upwelling, pulling cool water from the deep and pushing warmer coastal water offshore, creating a less-hospitable environment for tropical cyclones. Los Angeles Times, "Could a hurricane lash Los Angeles? 80 years ago, this deadly storm came close," 22 Aug. 2019 But this announcement, which will likely create a more hospitable environment and help overcome the funding drought facing smaller startups, is being heralded by entrepreneurs and investors. Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz India, "Good news for young startups as India eases scrutiny on angel investment," 5 July 2019 The falloff, which is being felt broadly across the economy, stems from tougher regulatory scrutiny in the United States and a less hospitable climate toward Chinese investment, as well Beijing’s tightened limits on foreign spending. Alan Rappeport, New York Times, "Chinese Money in the U.S. Dries Up as Trade War Drags On," 21 July 2019 The falloff, which is being felt broadly across the economy, stems from tougher regulatory scrutiny in the United States and a less hospitable climate toward Chinese investment, as well as Beijing’s tightened limits on foreign spending. Alan Rappeport, BostonGlobe.com, "Chinese money in the US dries up as trade war drags on," 21 July 2019 Some pigeons escaped and made their way to cities, where the ledges of tall buildings were as hospitable for nesting as the cliffs of their wild homes. National Geographic, "How pigeons landed in cities, and more breakthroughs," 12 June 2019 To the public health consequences of climate change, add the strains of population growth: Cook and Bernstein expect the city to swell as other parts of the planet — and this country — become less hospitable. Yvonne Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, "Think it’s hot now? Just wait," 31 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hospitable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of hospitable

circa 1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for hospitable

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 3, -able

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More Definitions for hospitable

hospitable

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of hospitable

: generous and friendly to guests or visitors
: having an environment where plants, animals, or people can live or grow easily
: ready or willing to accept or consider something

hospitable

adjective
hos·​pi·​ta·​ble | \ hä-ˈspi-tə-bəl How to pronounce hospitable (audio) , ˈhä-spi-\

Kids Definition of hospitable

1 : friendly and generous to guests and visitors
2 : willing to deal with something new They were hospitable to the changes.

Other Words from hospitable

hospitably \ -​blē \ adverb

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