habitable

adjective

hab·​it·​able ˈha-bə-tə-bəl 

also hə-ˈbi-tə-

: capable of being lived in : suitable for habitation

habitability

ˌha-bə-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

habitableness

ˈha-bə-tə-bəl-nes 

noun

habitably

ˈha-bə-tə-blē 

also hə-ˈbi-tə-

adverb

Synonyms of habitable

• inhabitable

Examples of habitable in a Sentence

The house is not habitable.

the frigid Arctic is not habitable for amphibians and reptiles—or for humans, either, for that matter

Recent Examples on the Web

As future missions find Earth-like planets around other stars, judging whether those worlds could be habitable will require some sense of what they're made of. — Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 6 Oct. 2026

This is because some of the three-story residences have flat roofs that lead up to a rooftop terrace, while others are designed with a more traditional roof structure with a habitable attic space. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026

The population consisted of workers transforming the strip of land to be habitable, even desirable, reforming the cluster into a model of hospitality. — Erin Parish, Miami Herald, 1 Oct. 2026

Although these systems are considered habitable because of heat and nutrients, signs of life have been hard to find, and linking the timing of an impact to processes that contributed to the flourishing of life is even harder. — Elizabeth Rayne, ArsTechnica, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for habitable

• uninhabitable

Kids Definition

habitable

adjective

hab·​it·​able ˈhab-ət-ə-bəl 

: suitable or fit to live in

a habitable cave

habitability

ˌhab-ət-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

Legal Definition

habitable

adjective

hab·​it·​able ˈha-bi-tə-bəl 

: suitable and fit for a person to live in : free of defects that endanger the health and safety of occupants see also warranty of habitability at warranty

habitability

ˌha-bi-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

habitableness noun

habitably adverb