preferable
[pref-er-uh-buh l, pref-ruh- or, often, pri-fur-]
- more desirable.
- worthy to be preferred.
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Origin of preferable
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for preferable
Contemporary Examples
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. PhilElizabeth Picciuto
October 1, 2014
He clearly felt that this was preferable to any more combat.
There is a danger, Jones suggests, in assuming that the known world is preferable to any alternative.
Which would have been preferable to Bob Beckel discussing his sex life when the subject turned to Miley Cyrus.
Avoid if possible; the phrase “[x] was caught lying and sheepishly acknowledged it” is preferable.
Historical Examples
The latter was equally plausible; but, if it came, would it not be preferable to the other?
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
This will be found to be very delicious and preferable to any other kind.
Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 5Woman'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 LampHenry Seton Merriman
Villaret reminded him that we were the guests of a German, and that it was preferable to be quiet.
My Double LifeSarah Bernhardt
preferable
- preferred or more desirable
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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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper