desirable

desirable — adjective

1. good enough or useful enough that most people would want it — used for jobs, per

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

good enough or useful enough that most people would want it — used for jobs, personal qualities, locations, or results that people consider positive to have or achieve.

Example

The apartment is in a highly desirable area near the park.

collocation: highly desirable + noun

Ife has all the desirable qualities that companies look for in a manager.

desirable qualities / attributes + noun

Common collocations
  • highly desirable
  • desirable outcome
  • desirable quality
  • desirable location
  • desirable feature
Synonyms
  • worthwhile

    focuses on the effort being worth the result, slightly less common than desirable

  • advantageous

    more formal; stresses benefit or gain in a specific context

  • appealing

    focuses on emotional attraction rather than rational benefit

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

it is desirable + to-infinitive

it is desirable + that-clause

desirable + noun

Usage Note

Frequently modified by 'highly', 'very', 'most', or 'less' to indicate degree of desirability.

Common Mistakes

I think this job is desirable for me because it pays well.
I think this job is desirable because it offers good pay and growth.
'desirable' describes the thing itself, not a personal match; use 'suitable' or 'a good fit' for personal suitability.

2. having a physical appearance or presence that makes other people want a sexual o

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

having a physical appearance or presence that makes other people want a sexual or romantic relationship with you.

Example

Saira felt confident and desirable in her new dress.

feel desirable — linking verb pattern

The magazine named Antonia one of the most desirable people in the industry.

Common collocations
  • feel desirable
  • look desirable
  • find someone desirable
  • most desirable
Synonyms
  • attractive

    broader, can be physical or non-physical; more common and neutral

  • sexy

    more direct and informal; stronger emphasis on physical appeal

  • alluring

    more literary; suggests mysterious or irresistible attraction

Antonyms
  • unattractive

    neutral opposite, more common than 'undesirable' for this sense

Grammar Patterns

feel desirable

look desirable

find + somebody + desirable

Usage Note

Less common than 'attractive' in everyday speech. Often appears in magazines, entertainment media, and discussions of celebrity culture. The word carries a stronger focus on sexual chemistry than 'attractive' does.

desirable — noun

Word family

  • desire
    nounB1
  • desire
    verbB1
  • undesirable
    adjectiveB2
  • desirability
    nounC1
  • desirably
    adverbC1
  • desired
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All five words describe something positive, but they differ in nuance. 'Desirable' is the broadest — it simply means people want it (a desirable location, a desirable job). 'Worthwhile' focuses on the effort-to-reward ratio: a worthwhile project may be hard work but pays off. 'Advantageous' is more formal and strategic, used in business or negotiation contexts (an advantageous contract term). 'Appealing' is about emotional pull — the thing attracts you because it looks or feels nice (an appealing offer, an appealing design). 'Advisable' overlaps only in the 'prudent choice' sense of desirable: 'It is advisable to book early' is much more common than 'It is desirable to book early.' For everyday use: desirable and appealing are the most natural; advantageous and advisable are more formal.

desirable ↗worthwhile ↗advantageous ↗appealing ↗advisable ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • desirable outcome
  • desirable quality
  • desirable feature
  • desirable location
  • desirable result

Adverbs

  • highly desirable
  • very desirable
  • most desirable
  • less desirable

Phrases

  • a desirable alternative
  • a desirable option
  • a socially desirable trait

Prepositions

  • desirable for
  • desirable among

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'desirable' entered English in the late 1300s from Old French 'desirable', meaning 'that is to be wished for'. The French root traces back to Latin 'desiderabilis', from 'desiderare' (to long for, wish for). The '-able' suffix means 'capable of being' — so literally 'capable of being desired'. The sense of 'sexually attractive' emerged in the early 1600s.