Words / B1

in-HAB-it-uh-nt/ɪnˈhæbɪtənt/

An inhabitant lives in a place: inhabitants of the island; local inhabitants. Resident is the everyday twin for towns and flats; occupant is often temporary (the occupant of the room). Population is the total number. Inhabit is the verb. Do not use inhabitant for a hotel guest staying one night — that is a guest or visitor.

Meaning

A person or animal that lives in a particular place.

Examples

• “The island has fewer than three hundred inhabitants.”
• “The village has 400 inhabitants, most of them over sixty.”
• “Inhabitants complained that the new bypass cut the town in half.”

Good to know

inhabitants of + place. Everyday: resident. Total number: population. Verb: inhabit. Not a one-night guest.

Near in meaning

resident

New