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.

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preferable British  

/ ˈprɛfrəbəl, ˈprɛfərəbəl /

adjective

1. 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

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

And only one seems preferable for buyers and sellers in a housing market that’s been constrained by high interest rates and out-of-reach prices for several years.

From MarketWatch

Generally, this is preferable to asking a hypothetical in opinion polls, which are getting more difficult than ever to do well.

From Salon

Europe’s regulatory machine is slow and bureaucratic, but for long-term decisions, slow and predictable is preferable to fast and erratic.

From The Wall Street Journal

He might offer you an icicle treat or ask your opinion on whether a mid-late-morning nap is preferable to a late-mid-afternoon nap.

From Literature

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

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• desirable
• excellent
• preferred
• superior