B2noun5K

Inhabitant

UK /["/ɪnˈhæbɪtənt/"]/US /["/ɪnˈhæbɪtənt/"]/

Definition

a person or an animal that lives in a particular place

In simple words: A person or animal that lives in a particular place.

Examples

  • the oldest inhabitant of the village
  • It is a town of about 10 000 inhabitants.
  • 77% of the inhabitants lived in the countryside.
  • He is Brixham's oldest inhabitant.
  • London has just under ten million inhabitants.
  • São Paulo has nearly 23 million inhabitants.
  • The island's earliest inhabitants came from India.
  • It eats mice, lizards and other small inhabitants of the forest floor.
  • the inhabitants of the rainforest/​tundra/​remote islands

Usage notes

Use 'inhabitant' to refer to people or animals living in specific areas. It's appropriate in formal and neutral contexts, but may sound too serious in casual conversation.

Grammar pattern

inhabitant + of + location

Memory hint

Think of 'inhabit' as 'in-habit', like something living in its habitual place.

Collocations

  • local
  • early
  • first
  • have
  • live
  • of…inhabitant
  • with…inhabitant

Synonyms

  • resident
  • dweller
  • occupant
  • local
  • native

Antonyms

  • visitor
  • tourist
  • migrant

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'resident' and 'citizen', which have different implications.
  • Using 'inhabitant' for non-living things like cities or countries.
  • Incorrectly pluralizing as 'inhabitants' when referring to one.