What does hospitable mean?
Hospitable describes someone or something that welcomes guests, visitors, or newcomers with friendliness, generosity, and openness. The most common use is for a person, such as a hospitable host, but it can also characterize a home, community, climate, or environment. The word usually carries a warm, approving connotation, suggesting that visitors will feel comfortable and looked after rather than excluded or ignored. In descriptions of a place, it may refer to favorable conditions rather than personal behavior: a hospitable climate or a hospitable political environment. Its opposite, inhospitable, conveys a lack of welcome and can describe unfriendly people, harsh surroundings, or an unwelcoming atmosphere.
adjectiveWelcoming and friendly toward guests or visitors. It can also describe an environment or atmosphere that is pleasant, supportive, or receptive.
- Welcoming and friendly toward guests, visitors, or strangers.
- Pleasant, supportive, or receptive, especially of a place, climate, or environment.
"The innkeeper was hospitable, offering every traveler a warm meal and a comfortable room."
"Our neighbors were hospitable, welcoming us into their home whenever we visited."
"The region has a hospitable climate, with mild weather throughout much of the year."
The word hospitable comes from the same Latin root as hospital, hotel, and hospice: a hospitable place is, literally, a place fit for a guest.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hospitable come from?
Hospitable comes from Latin hospitālis, meaning “of or relating to a guest” or “welcoming,” from hospes, meaning “guest” or “host.” The same root developed in English through words including hospital, hospitality, hospice, and hotel, all connected with receiving, caring for, or lodging guests. In English, hospitable has long been used both for people who receive guests generously and, more recently, for places or conditions that are welcoming to visitors.
Related word forms
How hospitable is actually used
Hospitable is positive and approving in most contexts. It can describe people, places, climates, environments, and social or political situations.
Easily confused with hospitable
Hospitable describes a welcoming or receptive quality, whereas hospitality refers to the friendly and generous treatment of guests.
Hospitable suggests openness and friendliness, while hostile suggests antagonism or strong opposition.