adj
inhospitable
ihn-hos-PIH-tuh-buhl
Inhospitable (adj) means unwelcoming to visitors or guests. Example: “The staff were cold and inhospitable from the moment we arrived.”
adj
1
Unwelcoming to visitors or guests.
"The staff were cold and inhospitable from the moment we arrived."
"Nobody felt at ease in his inhospitable household."
2
Harsh and unwelcoming as an environment; offering little shelter or comfort.
"The Antarctic coastline is one of the most inhospitable places on Earth."
"Few plants survive in such an inhospitable desert climate."
How to use inhospitable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot welcoming — whether that's an unfriendly host or a harsh, barren place.
Common pairings
inhospitable terrain
inhospitable climate
cold and inhospitable
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more inhospitable
- Superlative
- most inhospitable
Fill the gap
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The staff were cold and _____ from the moment we arrived.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin inhospitabilis, simply "not hospitable" — in- ("not") plus hospitable.
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for inhospitable
See all rhymes for inhospitable →Frequently asked questions
What does “inhospitable” mean?
The word “inhospitable” means unwelcoming to visitors or guests. In plain terms, not welcoming — whether that's an unfriendly host or a harsh, barren place.
How do you pronounce “inhospitable”?
“Inhospitable” is pronounced ihn-hos-PIH-tuh-buhl (/ˌɪnhɒsˈpɪtəbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “inhospitable” in a sentence?
Here is “inhospitable” used in a sentence: “The staff were cold and inhospitable from the moment we arrived.”
What part of speech is “inhospitable”?
“Inhospitable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “inhospitable” come from?
The word “inhospitable” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin inhospitabilis, simply "not hospitable" — in- ("not") plus hospitable.
How many meanings does “inhospitable” have?
“Inhospitable” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unwelcoming to visitors or guests.
