hospitality - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
hospitality Word Meanings
- the friendly and generous reception of guests
- the quality of being welcoming and friendly towards strangers
- the service industry that includes hotels, restaurants, and tourism
hospitality Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
hospitality Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/hɒspɪˈtælɪti/
US
/hɑːspɪˈtæləti/
hospitality Word Etymology
Hospitality is derived from the Latin 'hospitas', meaning 'guest' or 'stranger', combined with 'ius', meaning 'law'. It traces back through Old French to Modern English. Imagine a warm, inviting home with food and comfort for those who enter, a symbol of generosity and kindness.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Hospitality is the practice of warmly welcoming guests and making them feel comfortable, whether in a private home or in public venues such as hotels, restaurants, or events. It involves generosity, thoughtful service, and attention to guests' needs, from a clean room to a friendly conversation. The concept spans cultures and histories, shaping how communities share food, shelter, and companionship. In English, hospitality can describe both personal warmth and the broader service industry, and it is often tied to traditions of hosting, politeness, and generosity. Learning this word helps you describe not just a place, but the experience of being welcomed.
Usage Reminders
- Describe warmth toward guests, not only the place you stay.
- 'hospitality' is a noun and also refers to the service industry.
- 'Hospitable' is an adjective, not the noun form here.
- Avoid confusing with 'hostility' (hostility).
- Use collocations like 'hospitality industry' and 'extend hospitality'.
Common Misconceptions
- Hospitality is not the same as merely being polite to someone.
- It is not only about staying in hotels or eating well; it includes how guests are treated.
- Hospitable is an adjective; hospitality is the noun.
- It does not refer to hospitals or medical care.
- Many cultures have different expectations of hospitality that go beyond 'kindness'.
Thinking Differences
English speakers often think of hospitality as both warmth toward guests and the whole service sector; learners may mix it up with being hospitable or with host/hostel concepts.
Learning Tips
- Watch for collocations: hospitality industry, extend hospitality, warm hospitality.
- Distinguish between hospitality (noun) and hospitable (adjective).
- Notice the nuance: a place can have hospitality, but you experience it via people.
- Practice with reviews: describe both service and atmosphere.
- Compare with host and guest: hospitality is about welcoming, not simply hosting.
- Avoid false friends in your language.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of 'hospitality'?
A.Skillful
B.Loneliness
C.Generosity
D.Dangerous
Step 2: Usage
Which of the following sentences uses 'hospitality' correctly?
A.She showed great hospitality by cooking a delicious meal for her guests.
B.He displayed hospitality by refusing to share his food.
C.The party lacked hospitality and warmth.
D.The teacher's hospitality was appreciated by all the students.
Step 3: Similar Words
Choose the synonym for 'hospitality':
A.Kindness
B.Hostility
C.Isolation
D.Bravery
Step 4: Opposite Words
Select the opposite of 'hospitality':
A.Generosity
B.Warm
C.Friendly
D.Inhospitable
Step 5: Mastery
In what situation would you most likely experience 'hospitality'?
A.Visiting a friend's house for dinner
B.Going to a crowded and noisy concert
C.Taking a solitary hike in the mountains
D.Attending a boring business meeting
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