Definition

Noun A person, animal, or (less commonly) plant that lives in or occupies a particular place permanently or habitually.

Usage

The word "inhabitant" is used to describe a resident of a specific location, such as a city, country, building, or region. It is a formal or neutral term.

Examples

• The inhabitants of the small island rely on fishing.
• According to the census, the city has over a million inhabitants.
• The local inhabitants were very friendly to tourists.
• The forest's animal inhabitants include deer and foxes.

Advanced Usage

• "Inhabitant" vs. "Resident": While often interchangeable, "inhabitant" can have a broader, more ecological or demographic sense (e.g., "inhabitants of a forest"), whereas "resident" often implies a more formal, legal, or community-based status (e.g., "a resident of the state").
• Figurative Use: It can be used figuratively for non-living things that seem to occupy a space.
  • Example: "Dust and memories were the only inhabitants of the old house."

Variants and Related Words

• Inhabit (verb): To live in or occupy a place.
  • Example: "Various tribes inhabit the region."
• Inhabitable (adjective): Suitable to be lived in.
  • Example: "The house was made inhabitable after the repairs."
• Uninhabited (adjective): Having no inhabitants.
  • Example: "They discovered an uninhabited island."

Synonyms

• Resident: A person who lives somewhere permanently.
• Dweller: A person or animal that lives in a specified place (often used in compounds: city-dweller, cave-dweller).
• Occupant: A person who resides or is present in a house, vehicle, or seat.
• Denizen: An inhabitant or occupant of a particular place (can be formal or literary, and also applies to animals/plants).

Antonyms

• Visitor
• Tourist
• Transient

Related Phrases

• Native inhabitant: A person born in a particular place.
  • Example: "The native inhabitants have a deep understanding of the local ecosystem."
• Permanent inhabitant: A person who lives in a place indefinitely.
  • Example: "She became a permanent inhabitant of the village."

Noun

1. a person who inhabits a particular place