Definition of livable

The word "livable" has its roots in Old French, where it is spelled "vivable" or "vivablement". It is derived from the Latin words "vita", meaning "life" and "-abilis", meaning "able" or "capable". In the 14th century, the word "vivable" was borrowed into Middle English and evolved into "livable". Initially, it meant "able to be lived on" or "sufficient for living". In the 17th century, the meaning of "livable" expanded to include the idea of being suitable or tolerable for human existence. It could describe a physical environment, such as a livable climate or a livable space, or a metaphorical one, such as a livable solution to a problem. Throughout its history, the word "livable" has maintained its connection to the concept of life and existence, making it a fundamental term in everyday language.