desirable

[dih-zahyuhr-uh-buhl]

adjective

1. worth having or wanting; pleasing, excellent, or fine.

   a desirable apartment.

2. arousing desire or longing.

   a desirable man or woman.

3. advisable; recommendable.

   a desirable law.

noun

1. a person or thing that is desirable.

desirable

/ dɪˈzaɪərəbəl /

adjective

1. worthy of desire or recommendation

   a desirable residence

2. arousing desire, esp sexual desire; attractive

noun

1. a person or thing that is the object of desire

Other Word Forms

• desirability noun
• desirableness noun
• desirably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of desirable¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French; equivalent to desire + -able

Example Sentences

"That's based on the assumption that a sober state of mind is more desirable," said the self-styled healer.

Read more on BBC

That’s comparable to the most desirable properties in New York’s priciest neighborhood, the West Village.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Achieving higher productivity isn’t just desirable—it is absolutely necessary if the U.S. is to maintain and grow household wealth and ensure long-term economic stability.

Read more on Barron's

Quite the contrary: The company brought a slew of cheeky, desirable electrics to the U.S. in the last decade, including an all-electric version of the GV70, newly arrived at dealerships.

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Half of those went to libraries, Whitmore said, making them far less desirable to collectors.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acceptable 
• beneficial 
• enviable 
• expedient 
• gratifying 
• helpful 
• preferable 
• profitable 
• useful 
• worthwhile