Inhabited: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe a place where people or animals live. Typically neutral and can be used for both urban and rural settings.

• The island was inhabited by a small tribe

Often used to describe a place where someone is currently staying, has taken control of, or lives temporarily. Can have a negative connotation in contexts like military occupation.

• The apartment was occupied by a young couple
• The enemy troops occupied the town

Commonly used when referring to the density or number of people living in a particular area. Neutral tone, suitable for both statistical and casual conversation.

• The city is densely populated
• This area is sparsely populated

Usually utilized in a literary sense to describe a place that has many inhabitants. It can give a sense of a bustling or well-populated area.

• The village was peopled by friendly, welcoming locals

Use this when talking about a location where people or animals live, usually focusing on the fact that it is not abandoned.

• The island was inhabited by a small community of fishermen
• The house has been inhabited for hundreds of years

This can refer to places where people live or stay, but it often has a military or temporary connotation. It can also imply control over a place.

• The building was occupied by protesters
• The city was occupied by foreign troops

This word highlights the presence of people or animals in a specific area and is often used in a more general or statistical way.

• The area is heavily populated with endangered species
• The city is one of the most densely populated places in the country

This word has an archaic or literary feel and is often used in historical or formal texts. It talks about where someone lived in the past.

• They dwelt in the mountains for many centuries
• In ancient times, many tribes dwelt in this region