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

The fact that the Louvre pieces also contain myriad smaller diamonds may have also made them desirable targets, as they won’t need to be whittled or reshaped in order to be offered for resale.

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Current owner and entrepreneur Jamie Waller said it "offers something truly rare – a self-contained island retreat located in one of England's most desirable riverside settings".

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It was a beautiful home in a very desirable neighborhood.

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

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

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Related Words

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