preferable

1 of 2

adjective

pref·​er·​a·​ble ˈpre-f(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce preferable (audio)
ˈpre-fər-bəl
also pri-ˈfər-ə-bəl
: having greater value or desirability : being preferred
preferability
ˌpre-f(ə-)rə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce preferable (audio)
noun

preferability

2 of 2

noun

pref·​er·​a·​bil·​i·​ty ˌpref(ə)rəˈbilətē How to pronounce preferability (audio)
-lətē, 
-i
: preferableness

Examples of preferable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
But travelers seeking a similar experience with a bit more breathing room may find Camden Hills State Park a preferable option. — Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 21 Oct. 2026 Ukraine is emotionally more adjusted to the idea of losing US support and going it alone, aware that survival is preferable to friendship with a fickle US. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 20 Oct. 2026 Getting more fiber in the diet is preferable to taking supplements. — Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 19 Oct. 2026 Obviously, weak contact is preferable to hitting the ball hard, because that's old school baseball or something. — Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for preferable

Word History

Etymology

Noun

preferable + -ity

First Known Use

Adjective

1666, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of preferable was in 1666

Rhymes for preferable

See All Rhymes for preferable

Browse Nearby Words

preferability
preferable
preferableness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Preferable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preferable. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

preferable

adjective
pref·​er·​a·​ble ˈpref-(ə-)rə-bəl How to pronounce preferable (audio)
ˈpref-ər-bəl
: worthy to be preferred : more desirable
preferability
ˌpref-(ə-)rə-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce preferable (audio)
noun
preferably
ˈpref-(ə-)rə-blē How to pronounce preferable (audio)
ˈpref-ər-
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All