inhospitable
UK: ɪnˈhɒspɪtəbl | US: ɪnˈhɑːspɪtəbl
adj. 1. (of a place) harsh and difficult to live in; lacking shelter or favorable conditions.
adj. 2. (of a person) unwelcoming or unfriendly toward guests or strangers.
inhospitable = in<not> + hospit<host/guest> + able<capable of>
- in-: A prefix meaning "not" (from Latin in-).
- hospit-: Root derived from Latin hospes (host/guest), related to hospitality.
- -able: Suffix meaning "capable of" (from Latin -abilis).
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin inhospitabilis, combining in- (negation) + hospitare (to host/receive guests). Over time, it evolved in Middle French as inhospitable before entering English, retaining its dual sense of describing unwelcoming environments or people. The root hospit- also appears in "hospital," "hostel," and "hospitality," reflecting shared origins in guest-host relationships.
The Arctic tundra is inhospitable to most forms of life.
Despite the storm, the villagers refused to be inhospitable to stranded travelers.
The desert’s inhospitable climate makes agriculture nearly impossible.
His inhospitable demeanor discouraged visitors from staying long.
Modern technology allows humans to survive in once-inhospitable regions.