Inhabitable Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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inhabitable

[ɪnˈhæbɪtəbl ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

describing places

Inhabitable refers to a place that is suitable for living or dwelling in. It indicates that an area provides the necessary resources and conditions for human or animal habitation, such as shelter, food, and water. Conversely, an uninhabitable space lacks these critical attributes, making it unsafe or impossible for permanent residence. The term is often used in discussions regarding environmental conditions and the viability of environments for human life.

Synonyms

comfortable, habitable, livable, suitable.

Examples of usage

  • This region is now considered inhabitable due to its climate.
  • Scientists are assessing whether Mars could become a habitable planet.
  • After the disaster, many areas became inhabitable.
  • The newly discovered island was both beautiful and inhabitable.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Environmental Science

  • The classification of regions as inhabitable is often based on factors such as climate, access to water, and food supply.
  • Urban areas can be considered inhabitable when they provide essential services, safety, and resources for living.

Architecture

  • Designers consider factors like space, light, and safety when designing a place to make it inhabitable.
  • Sustainable building practices aim to create inhabitable environments that minimize impact on nature.

Space Exploration

  • Scientists are studying Mars to determine if it could become inhabitable for future human explorers.
  • Conditions such as temperature, radiation, and atmosphere density are key factors in assessing a planet's habitability.

Cultural Perspectives

  • Different cultures define inhabitable places based on their unique needs, lifestyles, and acceptance of environmental challenges.
  • Inhabitable does not only refer to physical attributes; community support and social structures play a vital role in making places livable.

Origin of 'inhabitable'

Main points about word origin

  • 'Inhabitable' comes from the Latin 'inhabitabilis', where 'in-' means 'not' and 'habitabilis' means 'able to have a home'.
  • The root 'habitare' in Latin means 'to dwell' or 'to reside', showing how it's connected to living in a space.

The word 'inhabitable' is derived from the prefix 'in-', which means 'not', and 'habitable', which originates from the Latin 'habitabilis'. The Latin term comes from 'habitare', meaning 'to dwell' or 'to inhabit'. Therefore, 'inhabitable' implies a condition of being unfit for dwelling or habitation. Over time, the usage of 'inhabitable' has evolved in English to describe areas that are unsuitable for living, often in relation to environmental changes. The term is frequently applied in scientific contexts, particularly in discussions of climate and ecology, as well as in popular discourse about disaster zones and uninhabitable regions on Earth or other planets.


Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,003, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.