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hospitality

hos-pi-TAL-i-tee /ˌhɒspɪˈtælɪti/

nounB2TOEFLIELTS

neutralformal

The friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.

Implies a deep, genuine warmth and a moral or cultural duty to make outsiders feel safe, comfortable, and valued.

The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin 'hospes', which uniquely meant both 'guest' and 'host'. This linguistic double-identity reminds us that in ancient times, the roles of host and guest were deeply reciprocal, bound by sacred laws of mutual respect and protection.

Word relationships

welcome: Welcome is the initial act of receiving someone, whereas hospitality is the ongoing care and entertainment of them.
friendliness: Friendliness is a general personality trait, while hospitality is specifically directed toward guests and visitors.

hostility: Hostility is active opposition, unfriendliness, or aggression toward others.
aloofness: Aloofness is a state of being distant, cold, or unsociable.

Commonly confused with

hospital: While both share the Latin root for guest/host, a hospital is a medical treatment facility, whereas hospitality is the act of welcoming guests.

Word family

hospitable (adjective): Friendly and welcoming to strangers or guests.
hospitably (adverb): In a warm and welcoming manner.

Collocations

warm hospitality
show hospitality
industry of hospitality
gracious hospitality

Idioms & expressions

host with the most

Example sentences

"The host treated them with the traditional hospitality of the desert, offering water for their feet and the finest cuts of meat." A classic literary depiction of ancient welcoming customs.
"Southern hospitality is not just a cliché; it is a genuine philosophy of making every stranger feel like an old friend." An observation on Southern regional culture.

Memory hook

Think of a friendly 'hospital' where instead of medicine, they cure your loneliness with hot tea and cozy blankets. Hospitality turns a cold house into a warm home for a guest.

When not to use

Do not use when referring to simple commercial service without any element of warmth or personal care.

Fun facts

In ancient Greece, hospitality (known as Xenia) was believed to be protected by Zeus himself, who would sometimes disguise himself as a traveler to test mortals.