desirable

[dih-zahyuhr-uh-buhl]

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

/ 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
• desirably adverb
• desirableness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of desirable¹

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

Example Sentences

"Seeing China, Russia and North Korea become so close is clearly not desirable for us," he said, adding that he would likely respond by continuing to work closely with the US and Japan.

From BBC

This makes the badges desirable to thieves and fraudsters, who sell them on.

From BBC

Maybe the pressure to be desirable got too heavy.

From Los Angeles Times

There were internal discussions about the possibility of selling Martinelli this summer, but it was felt a sale during this window following Martinelli's form last season would not achieve a desirable figure.

From BBC

Lord Justice Underhill added that it was "highly desirable" for the government's appeal to be heard "as soon as possible", with a date now set for 25 September.

From BBC

Related Words

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