Desirable

dɪˈzaɪərəbəl

adjectiveIntermediate📊CommonQuality
1 meaning3 questions

Definitions

1

Worthy of being wished for or sought after; pleasing, attractive, or agreeable.

dɪˈzaɪərəbəl

adjectivepositiveIntermediate
Quality

Worthy of being desired; pleasing or attractive

The company is offering a highly desirable benefits package.

💡 Simply: Something desirable is something you really, really want or find attractive. Like a delicious dessert after a long meal or a sunny day after a week of rain. If someone is desirable, it means they're attractive or appealing.

👶 For kids: Something desirable is something you really want to have or do, like a yummy ice cream cone!

More Examples

2

The house in the countryside is a desirable place to live.

3

The job offers a desirable salary and opportunities for growth.

How It's Used

General

"A desirable location for a new business."

Relationships

"He is considered a desirable bachelor."

Products

"The new model is highly desirable."

Synonyms & Antonyms

From Middle English, from Old French desirable, from desirer ('to desire') + -able (forming adjectives).

The word 'desirable' has been used in English since the late 14th century to describe something worthy of being desired.

Memory tip

Think of a beautiful, comfortable home you'd love to live in. That's desirable!

Word Origin

LanguageOld French
Original meaning

"To desire, to long for"

highly desirabledesirable locationdesirable qualitydesirable outcomedesirable features

Common misspellings

desireabledesirible

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written