hos ‧ pi ‧ ta ‧ ble /ˈhɒspɪtəb ə l, hɒˈspɪ- $ hɑːˈspɪ-, ˈhɑːspɪ-/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: French ; Origin: hospiter 'to receive a guest' , from Latin hospes ; ⇨ ↑ host 1 ]
1 . friendly, welcoming, and generous to visitors OPP inhospitable :
The local people were very kind and hospitable.
2 . used for describing an environment in which things can grow OPP inhospitable :
The Sahara is one of the world’s least hospitable regions.
—hospitably adverb
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ friendly behaving towards someone in a way that shows you like them and are ready to talk to them or help them:
a friendly smile
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The local people are very friendly.
▪ warm [usually before noun] friendly and caring about other people, in a way that makes people like you and feel comfortable:
He was such a warm caring person and everyone loved him.
|
We received a very warm welcome.
▪ nice especially spoken friendly and kind:
Chris is a nice guy. I’m sure you’ll get on with him.
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He wasn’t very nice to the other children.
▪ amiable /ˈeɪmiəb ə l/ formal friendly and easy to like:
Tom was an amiable young man.
▪ welcoming friendly to someone who has just arrived somewhere:
a welcoming smile
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The group are very welcoming to new members.
▪ hospitable friendly and eager to make visitors comfortable:
I found Japanese people to be very hospitable.
▪ genial formal behaving in a cheerful and friendly way:
a genial host
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She was in a genial mood.
▪ cordial formal friendly and polite but formal:
The two nations have always maintained cordial relations.
▪ approachable friendly and easy to talk to – used especially about people in important positions:
The head teacher is very approachable.