# preferable

/ˈpɹɛfɝəbəɫ/ (US) · /pɹɪfˈɜːɹəbəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/preferable
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

better or more desirable than another option. You use it when you have to choose between two things and one is clearly the better choice.

For teachers: more desirable or suitable than the alternatives. Often used in comparative structures to indicate a superior option in a given context.

## Examples

- A quiet room is preferable for studying.
- While both hotels are nice, the one closer to the beach is preferable for our summer holiday.
- In many professional environments, a direct and honest approach is preferable to a polite but vague response that leaves colleagues uncertain about the actual status of a project.

## Pitfalls

- Not "This option is preferable than that one" but "This option is preferable to that one" — Preferable is followed by the preposition 'to' rather than the comparative conjunction 'than'.

## Usage notes

- Commonly followed by the preposition 'to' when making a direct comparison; rarely used with 'than'.

---

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.