preferable

preferable — adjective

1. more worth choosing because it suits the situation better than another option

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

more worth choosing because it suits the situation better than another option

Example

For a short meeting, email is preferable to a long phone call.

pattern: preferable to + noun

For winter trips, packing light is preferable to carrying heavy bags.

pattern: preferable to + -ing

Common collocations
  • preferable to
  • preferable option
  • preferable choice
  • far preferable to
Synonyms
  • better

    the broad everyday comparison and much more common in speech

  • suitable

    focuses on fitting a purpose, not necessarily on being compared with another option

  • desirable

    emphasizes that something is attractive or wanted

  • advisable

    stresses that a choice is wise or safe

Antonyms
  • worse

    the direct opposite in a general comparison

  • unsuitable

    focuses on not fitting the purpose or situation

  • inadvisable

    means not wise, often because there may be risk or trouble

Grammar Patterns

be preferable to + noun

be preferable to + -ing

it is preferable to + verb

Usage Note

Usually appears with to, followed by the less suitable person, thing, or action. The pattern it is preferable to + verb is common when someone is recommending the wiser or safer choice.

Common Mistakes

This seat is more preferable than that one.
This seat is preferable to that one.' / 'This seat is better than that one.
'preferable' already has a comparative meaning, so do not add 'more' or use 'than'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

For adjective/1, preferable compares two or more choices and says one should be chosen over another. Better is the broad everyday word and works in almost any context. Suitable focuses on fitness for a purpose, so something can be suitable without being compared directly. Desirable adds the idea that people want it or find it attractive. Advisable is narrower and suggests the choice is wise, safe, or sensible. For example, in a noisy office, email may be preferable to a call. A small bag may be suitable for a day trip. Wearing a helmet is advisable on icy roads.

preferable ↗better ↗suitable ↗desirable ↗advisable ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • be preferable to
  • it is preferable to

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Preferable is built from prefer and the adjective ending -able. Prefer comes from a Latin verb meaning "carry before" or "place before," which developed the idea of choosing one thing over another. In English, preferable keeps that comparison and describes the option that deserves to be chosen first.