preferable

1 of 2

adjective

pref·​er·​a·​ble ˈpre-f(ə-)rə-bəl 

ˈpre-fər-bəl

also pri-ˈfər-ə-bəl

: having greater value or desirability : being preferred

preferability

ˌpre-f(ə-)rə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

preferability

2 of 2

noun

pref·​er·​a·​bil·​i·​ty ˌpref(ə)rəˈbilətē 

-lətē, 

-i

: preferableness

Examples of preferable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Espinoza agreed, stating that raising tuition was a hardship but preferable to alienating the neighborhood that had supported the JCC for 35 years. —Morgan Rynor, CBS News, 12 June 2026

Lewis Miley is an option at right-back, though regular game-time in his natural midfield position would be preferable. —Chris Waugh, New York Times, 12 June 2026

The California Highway Patrol, San Diego Police Department and Harbor Police Department all agreed that a vertical barrier would be preferable to a horizontal one. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026

Geographically, rather than half-dressed, would of course be preferable. —Judith Martin, Mercury News, 30 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

preferable + -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

1666, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for preferable

• referable

Kids Definition

preferable

adjective

pref·​er·​a·​ble ˈpref-(ə-)rə-bəl 

ˈpref-ər-bəl

: worthy to be preferred : more desirable

preferability

ˌpref-(ə-)rə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

preferably

ˈpref-(ə-)rə-blē 

ˈpref-ər-

adverb