Etymology Map
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Hospitable

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means friendly and welcoming to guests

Where does the word "hospitable" come from? It comes from Latin hospes, passing through French before entering English (1570s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
hospes
Latin · ancient
"host, guest"
the root of 'hospital' and 'hotel'
2
Stage 2 of 3
hospitable
French · 1500s
"hospitable"
medieval hospices run by monks sheltered pilgrims
3
Stage 3 of 3
hospitable
English · 1570s
"welcoming"
'inhospitable' terrain dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Hospitable’s story begins in Latin: hospes meant “host, guest.” The root of 'hospital' and 'hotel'. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as hospitable. Medieval hospices run by monks sheltered pilgrims. It reached English by 1570s as hospitable. 'inhospitable' terrain dates from the 1600s. Today, hospitable means friendly and welcoming to guests.