Environment / C1

HAB-it-at/ˈhæbɪtæt/

A habitat is the natural environment of a plant or animal: destroy a habitat, a woodland habitat. Habit (already in the dictionary) is a usual behaviour — a classic mix-up. Home is everyday for people; habitat is ecology. Do not call a student flat a habitat unless you are being wry.

Meaning

The natural environment in which a plant or animal normally lives.

Examples

• “The marsh is the bird’s last habitat on this stretch of coast.”
• “Draining the marsh destroyed the wader’s last habitat on that coast.”
• “A habit is what you do; a habitat is where a species lives. Keep them apart in biology papers.”

Good to know

Where a species naturally lives. Mix-up: habit (a usual act). People everyday: home. Ecology word, not student housing.

Topics

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