unlivable

/ˌʌnˈlɪv.ə.bəl/ (bre, ipa) · [ənlˈɪvəbəl] /ˌʌnˈlɪv.ə.bəl/ (ame, ipa) · [ənlˈɪvəbəl] /ˌən-ˈli-və-bəl How to pronounce unlivable (audio)/ (ame, mw)

unlivable — adjective

  • unlivablepositive
  • more unlivablecomparative
  • most unlivablesuperlative

1. describing a house, apartment, or other building that is in such bad condition —

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describing a house, apartment, or other building that is in such bad condition — for example, because of damage, dirt, or danger — that people cannot live there safely or comfortably.

例句

After the earthquake, the inspectors declared the apartment building unlivable and ordered everyone to leave.

passive: declared [sth] unlivable

The old farmhouse had no running water or electricity and was unlivable by modern standards.

predicative: be unlivable by [standards]

同義詞
  • uninhabitable

    more formal and technical; often used in official reports about damaged buildings

  • unfit for habitation

    a longer formal phrase common in legal or housing-inspection contexts

反義詞
  • livable

    the direct everyday opposite

  • habitable

    slightly more formal; used in technical or official contexts

用法筆記

Frequently used in the pattern 'make [something] unlivable' (causative) or 'be/become unlivable' (predicative). The opposite form is 'livable'.

常見錯誤

❌The city is unlivable because of high crime.' (when referring to a city's general condition).
✅The apartment is unlivable because the roof is leaking and the walls are covered in mold.
💡Use sense 1 for buildings and physical structures; use sense 2 for broader life situations.

2. describing a situation or set of conditions that makes normal daily life too dif

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describing a situation or set of conditions that makes normal daily life too difficult, unpleasant, or stressful to tolerate — for example, extreme poverty, political oppression, or a toxic work environment.

例句

For the factory workers, twelve-hour shifts with no breaks made daily life unlivable.

causative: made + [noun phrase] + unlivable

Noise from the construction site next door made the neighbourhood unlivable during the day.

同義詞
  • intolerable

    stronger emphasis on emotional distress; often used for personal suffering

  • unbearable

    emphasises the personal emotional burden, common in everyday speech

反義詞
  • livable

    the direct opposite, covering both physical and situational contexts

  • bearable

    less formal, often used for temporary difficulties

用法筆記

Subject is often an abstract noun phrase such as 'situation', 'conditions', or 'environment'. Frequently used in the causative pattern 'make [something] unlivable'.

常見錯誤

❌The weather is unlivable today.' (too casual for a temporary condition).
✅The constant humidity and lack of air conditioning made the region unlivable for several weeks.
💡'Unlivable' is best for sustained conditions, not a single day's weather.