# desirable

/dɪˈzaɪɝəbəɫ/ (US) · /dɪzˈaɪəɹəbəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/desirable
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. wanted or useful

adjective · CEFR B2

having qualities that make people want it; worth having or doing.

For teachers: possessing qualities that make a particular thing or action attractive, useful, or advisable.

- The house is in a very desirable location near the park and the train station.
- While the proposed changes are highly desirable from a technical standpoint, the financial costs may prove prohibitive for the local council.

### 2. sexually attractive

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

physically or sexually attractive.

For teachers: arousing or tending to arouse sexual desire.

- The magazine features articles on how to feel more confident and desirable.
- The marketing campaign relied heavily on the assumption that consumers would associate the fragrance with being more socially and physically desirable.

### 3. a wanted thing

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal · Literary

a person or thing that is wanted or considered attractive.

For teachers: a person or thing that is considered to be desirable or worth having.

- The shop was full of expensive desirables that I could never afford.
- The auction house specialised in the sale of rare desirables, ranging from antique watches to first-edition manuscripts.

## Examples

- A quiet garden is a very desirable feature in a city home.
- The company is looking for candidates with desirable skills like coding and project management.
- While the policy aims for a desirable increase in local employment, economists warn that the immediate inflationary pressure could undermine any long-term gains for the working class.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.