inhabit
gb/ɪnhˈæbɪt/ us/ɪnhˈæbɪt/
B2
English
~ 9100
él, benépesít, átjár, él valamiben
VERB
B2
1
él
A1
Usage pattern:
to inhabit [a place]
Millions of people inhabit the coastal regions of the country.
Emberek milliói élnek az ország tengerparti vidékein.
Strange insects inhabit the caves deep below the mountain.
Különös rovarok élnek a hegy alatt mélyen fekvő barlangokban.
Only a few families still inhabit the old village.
Many rare bird species inhabit this wetland.
The island was once inhabited by a small fishing community.
Learner examples
Over one million people inhabit this city.
Több mint egymillió ember él ebben a városban.
Polar bears inhabit the Arctic regions.
A jegesmedvék a sarkvidéki területeken élnek.
Many animals inhabit the forest near my town.
Different fish inhabit the lake all year.
Only a few farmers inhabit that remote valley.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"inhabit in"* (e.g., *"Many animals inhabit in the forest"*). The verb "inhabit" does not take a preposition: say *"inhabit the forest"*. Learners also often use "inhabit" where simple "live" is more natural in everyday speech; "inhabit" is more formal and often used for groups, animals, or written descriptions.
Meaning
live in or occupy a place
Collocations
inhabit an area
|inhabit a region
|inhabit the earth
|inhabit coastal waters
|inhabit the forest
|inhabit the city
Synonyms
live in (More common and general; less formal than "inhabit".)
|
occupy (Focuses more on filling space; can sound more neutral or technical.)
|
dwell in (More literary or old-fashioned than "inhabit".)
Antonyms
vacate (Means to leave a place empty that was previously inhabited.)
|
desert (Emphasizes leaving a place so it is no longer lived in.)
Themes
geography
|environment
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
|housing
Definition
To live in a place, or to be the people or animals that live there.
To live in or occupy a place as a resident or population.
VERB
C1
LITERARY
2
Usage pattern:
to inhabit [a world/role/space]
Her novels are inhabited by complex, unforgettable characters.
Regényeit összetett, felejthetetlen alakok népesítik be.
Old fears still inhabit his dreams.
Régi félelmek még mindig ott élnek az álmaiban.
The film invites us to inhabit the world of the main character.
Memories of the war continue to inhabit her thoughts.
The artist seems to inhabit each role he plays on stage.
Learner examples
Many strange ideas inhabit his mind.
Sok furcsa gondolat él a fejében.
Strong feelings inhabit this short story.
Erős érzelmek hatják át ezt a novellát.
Childhood memories still inhabit her dreams.
Colorful characters inhabit the book she wrote.
The actor really inhabits the role of the hero.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this sense is more literary and abstract, and may try to use it in very casual contexts where "be in" or "fill" would be more natural. It is best reserved for writing or more expressive speech about stories, art, or the mind.
Meaning
exist or live within something abstract
Collocations
inhabit a world
|inhabit a role
|inhabit a character
|inhabit the imagination
|inhabit a space
|inhabit a dream
Synonyms
populate (Highlights being the people or things that fill a world, story, or space.)
|
pervade (Focuses more on spreading through something than on "living" in it.)
|
fill (Very general; lacks the "living" or ongoing presence nuance of "inhabit".)
Antonyms
empty (Suggests removing or lacking the beings or ideas that once inhabited a space.)
|
vacate (Implies leaving a role, space, or mental area that was previously inhabited.)
Themes
art
|literature
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
|communication
|arts_entertainment
Definition
To be strongly present in or to fill a non-physical thing, like a story, a role, or someone's mind.
To occupy or live within something non-physical, such as a role, world, or space in the imagination, often filling or characterizing it.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inhabit
IPA
GB/ɪnhˈæbɪt/
US/ɪnhˈæbɪt/
Syllables & stress
in - hab - it (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (hab)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: inhabit
- 3rd Person Singular: inhabits
- Present Participle: inhabiting
- Past: inhabited
Word family
Forms
inhabits
verb
inhabiting
verb
inhabited
verb
Core family
inhabitant
noun B2
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
uninhabited
adjective
uninhabitable
adjective
Advanced or less common
habitation
noun B2
habitability
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.