inhabitable

¹

[ in-hab-i-tuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. able or fit to be lived in:

   Through years of neglect and eventual disrepair, the larger portion of the city has utterly collapsed and is no longer inhabitable.

inhabitable

²

[ in-hab-i-tuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. unfit to live in; uninhabitable:

   People need to evacuate immediately, as rapidly dropping temperatures will make the whole area inhabitable by sundown.

Other Words From

• in·hab·it·a·bil·i·ty [in-hab-i-t, uh, -, bil, -i-tee], noun
• non·in·hab·it·a·bil·i·ty noun
• non·in·hab·it·a·ble adjective
• un·in·hab·it·a·bil·i·ty noun
• un·in·hab·it·a·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inhabitable¹

First recorded in 1400–50; inhabit ( def ) + -able ( def )

Origin of inhabitable²

First recorded in 1580–90; from French, from Latin inhabitābilis, from in- in- ³( def ) + habitābilis habitable ( def )

Example Sentences

The ADU was heavily damaged and was “red tagged,” meaning the building is inhabitable.

From Los Angeles Times

The Canarias Se Agota movement believes the numbers of tourists are excessive, making the islands less inhabitable for locals, impacting the environment and pushing up housing costs.

From BBC

Mass evacuations following the October attack have, for now, sharply reduced its inhabitable footprint.

From Seattle Times

To make this parcel inhabitable, the city would need to spend $122 million just on stormwater management, roads, water, sewage and power lines.

From Seattle Times

Meier added that he would prefer the term "less inhabitable" rather than "uninhabitable," since humans could adapt to some of the changes they experience.

From Salon