preferable
PREHF-ruh-bl
Preferable (adjective) means More desirable or better than an alternative. Example: “A short delay is preferable to canceling the trip altogether.”
adjective
1
More desirable or better than an alternative.
"A short delay is preferable to canceling the trip altogether."
How to use preferable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBetter as an option, when compared with something else.
Common mistake
Preferable already means "more preferred," so avoid saying "more preferable" — it's redundant.
Common pairings
preferable to
a preferable option
clearly preferable
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more preferable
- Superlative
- most preferable
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A short delay is _____ to canceling the trip altogether.
Etymology
From prefer plus the adjective-forming suffix -able, likely influenced by the French preferable.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for preferable
See all rhymes for preferable →Frequently asked questions
What does “preferable” mean?
The word “preferable” means more desirable or better than an alternative. In plain terms, better as an option, when compared with something else.
How do you pronounce “preferable”?
“Preferable” is pronounced PREHF-ruh-bl (/ˈpɹɛf.(ə.)ɹə.b(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “preferable” in a sentence?
Here is “preferable” used in a sentence: “A short delay is preferable to canceling the trip altogether.”
What part of speech is “preferable”?
“Preferable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “preferable” come from?
The word “preferable” comes from French. From prefer plus the adjective-forming suffix -able, likely influenced by the French preferable.
Is “preferable” a common word?
“Preferable” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
