desirable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word “desirable” is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are describing something that is pleasing or attractive, or something that you would like to have. For example, “The new apartment had all the desirable features I was looking for.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Larkin's poem, written about his friend Winifred Arnott, sees the lost maiden name as a symbol of the erasure of a woman's youthful and sexually desirable self, now swallowed up in domestic duties and motherhood.

The Guardian - Books

The highly desirable "Ooh, I could live here" reaction is identified as "the Barcelona effect".

The Guardian

For at least two centuries the handloom weavers of Bengal produced some of the world's most desirable fabrics, especially the fine muslins, light as "woven air", that were in such demand for dressmaking and so cheap that Britain's own cloth manufacturers conspired to cut off the fingers of Bengali weavers and break their looms.

The Guardian - Opinion

Does being an MP make you desirable for other lines of work?

The Guardian

(There is a consensus within parliament that the universal credit is desirable, so there little real debate on the merits of the scheme. In fact his original shadow opponent, Liam Byrne, was said to share his views of welfare reform).

The Guardian

If you could have told me that, come the 1990s, there'd be Kurt Cobain and then Hedi Slimane, and the desirable shape for a man would change overnight from triangle to stick, I'd have been delighted.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If this is indeed "honourable", then I'll… well, I'll just carry on being totally bemused by how far Ukip has managed to push the concept of honour down the pecking order of desirable traits among politicians.

The Guardian

The fact is that this review was open to anybody to contribute, yet the overwhelming evidence received strongly supported the UK remaining in the EU and that an attempt to radically rewrite the treaties is neither achievable nor desirable".

The Guardian

Barrett said there had been a lack of communication with currently serving female defence force members about the career opportunities available and which aspects of them were desirable and important for women.

The Guardian

We should also be able to agree that savage satire of politicians is inevitable and even desirable in a free press.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many of Mumbai's poorest neighbourhoods could become functional and even desirable with a little support from the authorities.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when using "desirable"; it implies a value judgment, so ensure it aligns with the intended audience and purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "desirable" excessively when describing purely subjective preferences. Instead of saying "a desirable outcome," consider if "favorable outcome" or "positive result" might be more appropriate to avoid imposing a universal standard.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "desirable" primarily functions as an attributive adjective, modifying nouns to indicate that they possess qualities that are attractive, beneficial, or worth wanting. As Ludwig AI indicates, its use is grammatically correct and widespread. For example, in the sentence "a desirable location", it describes the location as having favorable attributes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "desirable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective to express that something is worth wanting or is pleasing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and the examples demonstrate its versatility across varied contexts, particularly in news, formal business, and general discourse. The adjective functions primarily to attribute positive qualities to nouns, influencing the reader to perceive them favorably. While it suits a neutral register, overuse in subjective contexts should be avoided for precision. Alternatives like "attractive" or "preferable" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Attractive

Focuses more on visual appeal or allure, while "desirable" can encompass broader appeal.

Coveted

Implies a strong desire or envy from others, suggesting rarity or high value.

Sought-after

Highlights the act of actively looking for or pursuing something.

Enviable

Suggests that something is so good that it causes others to feel envy.

Preferable

Indicates a choice between options, with one being favored over the others.

Advantageous

Emphasizes the benefits or positive outcomes that something provides.

Worthy

Highlights the merit or value of something, making it deserving of desire.

Ideal

Suggests that something is the best possible option or perfectly suited for a particular purpose.

Beneficial

Focuses on the positive impact or helpfulness of something.

Welcome

Implies that something is gladly received or appreciated.

FAQs

How can I use "desirable" in a sentence?

You can use "desirable" to describe something that is attractive, beneficial, or wanted. For example: "Living in a "desirable neighborhood" is a common aspiration" or "A "desirable outcome" of the project is increased efficiency".

What are some alternatives to the word "desirable"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "attractive", "coveted", "sought-after", or "preferable" as alternatives to "desirable".

Is it correct to say something is "most desirable"?

Yes, saying something is "most desirable" is grammatically correct. It indicates that it is the most wanted or advantageous option among several possibilities. For example, "Achieving work-life balance is the "most desirable" outcome for many professionals."

What's the difference between "desirable" and "desired"?

"Desirable" describes something that is worth wanting or is pleasing, while "desired" is the past tense of the verb "desire" and means something that is actually wanted. For instance, "A "desirable" job offers good benefits," whereas "The promotion was the "desired" result of her hard work."