preferable

American  

[pref-er-uh-buhl, pref-ruh-, pri-fur-] / ˈprɛf ər ə bəl, ˈprɛf rə-, prɪˈfɜr- /

adjective

1. more desirable.

2. worthy to be preferred.

---

preferable British  

/ ˈprɛfrəbəl, ˈprɛfərəbəl /

adjective

1. preferred or more desirable

---

Usage

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

Other Word Forms

• nonpreferability noun
• nonpreferable adjective
• nonpreferableness noun
• nonpreferably adverb
• preferability noun
• preferableness noun
• preferably adverb
• unpreferable adjective
• unpreferableness noun
• unpreferably adverb

Etymology

Origin of preferable

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

Example Sentences

Given the uncertainties, some former military officers said a diplomatic agreement could be preferable to war.

From The Wall Street Journal

For Grimsby boss Artell, a "bowling green" surface much closer in quality to the one his side stunned Manchester United on in the League Cup earlier this season would also have been preferable.

From BBC

In essentially every case imaginable, enrolling in this kind of plan is preferable to stopping payments.

From Barron's

That’s preferable to owning “nominal assets,” given the dollar’s loss of 52% of its value over the past 30 years, he added.

From Barron's

Soluble fibers tend to add thickness and a creamy component, which is preferable when making a latte.

From Salon

Related Words

• desirable
• excellent
• preferred
• superior