desirable (adj.)

"worthy to be desired, fit to excite a wish to possess," late 14c., from Old French desirable (12c.), from desirrer (see desire (v.)). In Middle English sometimes it meant "desired, hoped for, welcome." Related: Desirably.

Entries linking to desirable

desire (v.)

"to wish or long for, express a wish to obtain," c. 1200, desiren, from Old French desirrer (12c.) "wish, desire, long for," from Latin desiderare "long for, wish for; demand, expect," the original sense perhaps being "await what the stars will bring," from the phrase de sidere "from the stars," from sidus (genitive sideris) "heavenly body, star, constellation" (but see consider). Related: Desired; desiring.

desirability (n.)

"state or condition of being worthy to be desired," 1824; see desirable + -ity.

undesirable (adj.)

1660s, "not to be desired, objectionable," from un- (1) "not" + desirable. The noun meaning "undesirable person or thing" is first attested 1883. Undesired "not asked or invited" is recorded from late 15c.

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updated on August 01, 2018

Definitions of desirable from WordNet

desirable (adj.)

worth having or seeking or achieving;

a desirable outcome

a desirable job

computer with many desirable features

desirable (adj.)

worthy of being chosen especially as a spouse;

Synonyms: suitable / worthy

From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near desirable

designated

designation

designer

designing

desirability

desirable

desire

desirous

desist

desk

deskill