Unliveable Meaning: Definition and Examples
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unliveable
[ʌnˈlɪvəbl ]
Definition
living conditions
Unliveable describes a condition that is unsuitable for living; it indicates that a space cannot provide adequate shelter, safety, or comfort for life. This term often refers to places that are severely damaged, polluted, or lacking essential resources.
Synonyms
impractical, inhabitable, uninhabitable, unsuitable.
Examples of usage
- The building was deemed unliveable after the earthquake.
- She found his apartment to be unliveable due to the lack of sanitation.
- The flooding rendered many houses unliveable.
- The authorities declared the region unliveable after the toxic spill.
Interesting Facts
Social Issues
- In some cities, rising rent has made many affordable homes unliveable for low-income families.
- Natural disasters can render areas unliveable, displacing communities and interrupting lives.
- Some refugees have fled unliveable situations due to war or persecution, seeking safety elsewhere.
Environmental Concerns
- Polluted environments can become unliveable due to health risks like toxic air and water.
- Climate change is making certain regions unliveable by causing extreme weather patterns.
- Urban sprawl can lead to unliveable suburbs that lack basic services, isolating residents.
Mental Health
- Living in unliveable conditions can lead to increased stress and mental health issues.
- Isolation in unliveable situations might cause feelings of despair and hopelessness.
- Seeking help from community services can improve unliveable living situations for individuals.
Literature and Media
- Many dystopian novels depict unliveable worlds to explore societal issues and human resilience.
- Movies often show unliveable environments as backdrops for survival stories or cautionary tales.
- Poets have used the concept of unliveable to express the emotional struggles of alienation and despair.
Origin of 'unliveable'
Main points about word origin
- The prefix 'un-' means 'not,' so unliveable literally means 'not able to live.'
- The word comes from the root 'live,' which means to exist or have life.
- It combines with '-able,' a suffix indicating capability, forming an adjective.
The word 'unliveable' is formed by prefixing the word 'liveable' with 'un-', which denotes negation. The roots of these words trace back to the Old English 'libban' meaning 'to live' and the suffix '-able' denoting capability or suitability. 'Liveable' emerged in the 19th century as a term to describe environments or conditions conducive to life. The addition of 'un-' signifies the opposite, thus creating 'unliveable' to describe places or conditions that are intolerable for habitation. This term has become particularly relevant in discussions around housing, environmental conditions, and urban decay in modern contexts.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #42,548, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.