habitable

Everyday

1. Good enough for people or animals to live in, as in «a habitable house». tree →
2. (science) Able to support life, as in «a habitable planet» or «the habitable zone». tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons about space, the «habitable zone» (Goldilocks zone) is the area around a star where a planet is not too hot or too cold for liquid water. In geography, some places like deserts and ice caps are hardly habitable. In everyday life, a house must be habitable (safe, with water and heating) before a family moves in.

Examples

• Earth is the only habitable planet we know of. tree →
• The old cottage is not habitable until the roof is fixed. tree →
• Scientists look for planets in the habitable zone. tree →
• Antarctica is not very habitable for people. tree →
• After the flood, the houses were not habitable. tree →
• Mars might once have been habitable for tiny microbes. tree →

Note

Opposite: «uninhabitable». Trap: «inhabitable» also means «able to be lived in» — it does NOT mean «not habitable». Related: «habitat», «inhabit».

In Jewish tradition

Used for the inhabited earth, the world where people live.

Interpretation. The Wisdom of Proverbs 8 pictures wisdom playing in the world before people, which tradition reads as Torah being God's plan for creation.

Examples

• Playing in His habitable earth, and my delights are with the sons of men. (Writings PRO.8.31, JPS 1917) tree →
• And they are turned round about by His guidance, that they may do whatsoever He commandeth them upon the face of the habitable world: (Writings JOB.37.12, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Opposite: «uninhabitable». Trap: «inhabitable» also means «able to be lived in» — it does NOT mean «not habitable». Related: «habitat», «inhabit».