desirable
dih-ZEYE-uh-ruh-buhl
Desirable (adj) means Worth wanting; pleasing or attractive. Example: “A short commute is a highly desirable quality in a new job.”
adj
1
Worth wanting; pleasing or attractive.
"A short commute is a highly desirable quality in a new job."
"Experience with children is desirable but not essential for this position."
"A quiet, spacious garden is a desirable feature for this house."
2
Sexually attractive.
"The desirable Miss Moneypenny, M's all-powerful private secretary, gave him an encouraging smile and he walked through the double doors."
— Ian Fleming, Interview with M (1954)
"He was considered the most desirable man at the party."
How to use desirable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething worth wanting, or someone people find attractive.
Common pairings
a desirable location
highly desirable
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like desirable.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- desirables
- Comparative
- more desirable
- Superlative
- most desirable
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A short commute is a highly _____ quality in a new job.
Etymology
From Old French desirable, built from "desire" plus the suffix -able ("capable of being").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for desirable
See all rhymes for desirable →Frequently asked questions
What does “desirable” mean?
The word “desirable” means worth wanting; pleasing or attractive. In plain terms, something worth wanting, or someone people find attractive.
How do you pronounce “desirable”?
“Desirable” is pronounced dih-ZEYE-uh-ruh-buhl (/dɪˈzaɪəɹəbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “desirable” in a sentence?
Here is “desirable” used in a sentence: “A quiet, spacious garden is a desirable feature for this house.”
What is the opposite of “desirable”?
The opposite of “desirable” — its antonyms — is undesirable.
What part of speech is “desirable”?
“Desirable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “desirable” come from?
The word “desirable” comes from Old French. From Old French desirable, built from "desire" plus the suffix -able ("capable of being").
Is “desirable” a common word?
“Desirable” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “desirable” have?
“Desirable” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: worth wanting; pleasing or attractive.
What is the difference between desirable and desired?
Desirable describes something worth wanting because of its qualities, while desired describes something that is actually being wanted at a given moment. A desirable job is one that appeals to people in general; a desired outcome is the specific result someone is currently hoping for.
What is the difference between desirable and attractive?
Desirable can describe both physical appeal and the appeal of qualities, situations, or outcomes, such as a desirable property or a desirable trait. Attractive is used more narrowly, usually for physical or visual appeal, so desirable has a broader range of use.
Is desirable a formal word?
Desirable is a neutral word that works in both formal and everyday English, appearing in business, academic, and casual writing alike. It is common in phrases like "highly desirable" or "desirable qualities" in job listings and reports.
