preferable

[pref-er-uh-buh l, pref-ruh- or, often, pri-fur-]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR preferable ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

more desirable.

worthy to be preferred.

Origin of preferable

From the French word préfsptérable, dating back to 1640–50. See prefer, -able

Related formspref·er·a·bil·i·ty, pref·er·a·ble·ness, nounpref·er·a·bly, adverbnon·pref·er·a·bil·i·ty, nounnon·pref·er·a·ble, adjectivenon·pref·er·a·ble·ness, nounnon·pref·er·a·bly, adverbun·pref·er·a·ble, adjectiveun·pref·er·a·ble·ness, nounun·pref·er·a·bly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for preferable

superior, desirable, preferred, excellent, better, choice

Examples from the Web for preferable

Contemporary Examples of preferable

Surely it would be preferable to place Issy in foster care than attempt to kill her.
The Mommy Blogger Who Tried to Kill Her Autistic Daughter Talks to Dr. Phil
Elizabeth Picciuto
October 1, 2014
He clearly felt that this was preferable to any more combat.
The Last American Soldier Executed for Desertion
Michael Daly
June 6, 2014
There is a danger, Jones suggests, in assuming that the known world is preferable to any alternative.
American Dreams, 2003: The Known World by Edward P. Jones
Nathaniel Rich
November 26, 2013
Which would have been preferable to Bob Beckel discussing his sex life when the subject turned to Miley Cyrus.
Megyn Kelly’s Prime-Time Debut Leaves No Doubt She’s Fox News’s Future
Lloyd Grove
October 8, 2013
Avoid if possible; the phrase “[x] was caught lying and sheepishly acknowledged it” is preferable.
Exclusive! The Words That Journalists Overuse
Michael Moynihan
February 1, 2013

Historical Examples of preferable

The latter was equally plausible; but, if it came, would it not be preferable to the other?
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
This will be found to be very delicious and preferable to any other kind.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 5
Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
In either way, the certainty must be preferable to the suspense.
Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)
Samuel Richardson
For the unhappiness of Youth is preferable to the resignation of Age.
The Slave Of The Lamp
Henry Seton Merriman
Villaret reminded him that we were the guests of a German, and that it was preferable to be quiet.
My Double Life
Sarah Bernhardt

British Dictionary definitions for preferable

preferable

adjective

preferred or more desirable

Derived Formspreferability or preferableness, noun

usage

Since preferable already means more desirable, one should not say something is more preferable or most preferable

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for preferable

adj.

1640s, from or on model of French préférable, from préfér (see prefer). OED notes preferrable is better English but has not prevailed. Related: Preferably.