desirable

American  

[dih-zahyuhr-uh-buhl] / dɪˈzaɪər ə bəl /

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 British  

/ 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

Etymology

Origin of desirable

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

Example Sentences

On its face, Music Inn was the project of a married couple from a desirable Manhattan social circle.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some experts argue that brachy dogs’ health problems can make them more desirable to owners.

From The Wall Street Journal

Those reinforcements would be a desirable situation for any Super Bowl contender in the NFC.

From Los Angeles Times

Palau's location makes it a desirable target for influence from the world's biggest powers.

From BBC

As Montesquieu had emphasized, they were especially desirable for a republic.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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