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

The love for the sandwich — made with beef, peppers, spicy giardiniera and a beef au jus in between the preferable Turano roll or other kind of French roll — didn’t come out of nowhere. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 27 Oct. 2026

For this reason, flying a major carrier on a popular route is often preferable to a smaller airline with intermittent service. — Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026

But travelers seeking a similar experience with a bit more breathing room may find Camden Hills State Park a preferable option. — Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 21 Oct. 2026

Ukraine is emotionally more adjusted to the idea of losing US support and going it alone, aware that survival is preferable to friendship with a fickle US. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 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