Hospitality Meaning
/ˌhɒs.pɪˈtæl.ɪ.ti/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe act or service of welcoming, receiving, hosting, or entertaining guests; an appropriate attitude of openness, respect, and generosity toward guests.
nounThe business of providing catering, lodging and entertainment service; the industry which includes the operation of hotels, restaurants, and similar enterprises.
Sentence Examples
I'm afraid I'm imposing on your hospitality.
Captain Cook thanked the natives for their hospitality.
CEFR Practice Quiz
We were amazed by the ____ of the local people during our trip.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The hotel is famous for its exceptional ____ and the high quality of its service.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English hospitalite, from Old French hospitalité (modern French hospitalité), from Latin hospitālitās (“hospitality”), from hospitālis (“hospitable”), from hospes (“guest", "host”). Displaced native Old English cumlīþnes (literally “guest gentleness”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
""Quarrels!" said Charles; "do not use so disagreeable a word. I am thinking of nothing but the thanks I owe Lord Avonleigh for his hospitality"—Lord Avonleigh bent to the very edge of the table—"and the favours I am about to ask.""
— 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XLII, in Francesca Carrara. […], volume III, London: Richard Bentley, […], (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, page 350:
"In Ancient Times, as Story tells, / The Saints would often leave their Cells, / And ſtrole about, but hide their Quality, / To try good Peoples Hoſpitality."
— 1708, [Jonathan Swift], “The Metamorphosis of Baucis and Philemon, Burlesqu’d; from the 8th Book of Ovid”, in Baucis and Philemon; a Poem. […], London: […] H. Hills, […], published 1709, →OCLC, page 3:
"Mr Venus, reminded of the duties of hospitality, produced some rum."
— 1864 May – 1865 November, Charles Dickens, Our Mutual Friend. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1865, →OCLC:
"We were over the border here, into Northern Ireland, and the post office had a very English atmosphere. It was pleasant, too, much as we enjoyed the hospitality of the Republic, to be buying stamps with the Queen's head on them, and to be posting our cards in a red pillar-box, instead of a green one."
— 1955 June, Rev. A. W. V. Mace, “An Irish Journey—2”, in Railway Magazine, page 393:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
We were amazed by the ____ of the local people during our trip.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The hotel is famous for its exceptional ____ and the high quality of its service.