desirable
gb/dɪzˈaɪɚəbəl/ us/dɪzˈaɪɚəbəl/
B1
English
~ 9100
kívánatos, előnyt jelent, keresett, vonzó, célszerű, ajánlatos
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is desirable
Experience with project management is highly desirable for this position.
Ennél az állásnál a projektmenedzsmentben szerzett tapasztalat kifejezetten előnyt jelent.
The company is in a very desirable part of the city.
A cég a város egyik nagyon keresett részén található.
A quick response time is a desirable feature in customer support.
Lower energy costs are desirable for both businesses and households.
Honesty is a desirable quality in any leader.
Learner examples
This neighborhood is very desirable because it is safe.
Ez a környék nagyon keresett, mert biztonságos.
Good communication skills are desirable in many jobs.
A jó kommunikációs készségek sok állásban előnyt jelentenek.
A fast internet connection is desirable when you work from home.
Low prices are desirable for most customers.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "desirable" with "desired." "Desirable" means something is generally good or worth wanting (e.g., "a desirable job"), while "desired" means someone actually wants it or has wanted it (e.g., "the desired result"). "Desirable" is about value in general; "desired" is about a specific person's wish.
Meaning
worth having or wanting
Collocations
desirable outcome
|desirable quality
|highly desirable
|socially desirable
|desirable candidate
|desirable location
Synonyms
attractive (More general; can refer to looks, ideas, or offers; slightly less formal.)
|
appealing (Suggests that something seems pleasing or interesting, often emotionally.)
|
preferable (Focuses on being better than another option, especially in careful choice.)
|
wanted (More basic and direct; does not imply value or quality as strongly.)
Antonyms
undesirable (Direct opposite; describes something people do not want or consider bad.)
|
unattractive (Stresses lack of appeal or charm, not necessarily active dislike.)
Themes
evaluation
|work
|daily life
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Good or useful in a way that makes people want it.
Wanted because it is good, useful, or attractive.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is desirable
In the film, he is portrayed as the most desirable bachelor in the city.
A filmben a város legvonzóbb agglegényeként mutatják be.
She felt less desirable as she grew older, despite her many other strengths.
Ahogy idősebb lett, kevésbé érezte magát vonzónak, sok más erőssége ellenére.
The dating app uses photos and short bios to present users as desirable partners.
Marketing often shows an unrealistically young and desirable body type.
Learner examples
He is rich and handsome, so many people think he is very desirable.
Gazdag és jóképű, ezért sokan nagyon vonzónak tartják.
The main character is a desirable man that many women like.
A főszereplő vonzó férfi, aki sok nőnek tetszik.
The ad shows a very desirable young woman on the beach.
Common mistake:
Learners may use "desirable" in this sense in very casual speech where "sexy" or "hot" is more natural for native speakers. "Desirable" sounds more formal or careful and can sound objectifying if used directly to describe a person in everyday conversation. It is often used in writing or careful speech, not as a direct compliment to someone's face.
Meaning
sexually attractive or alluring
Collocations
sexually desirable
|considered desirable
|a desirable partner
|most desirable men
|highly desirable woman
Synonyms
sexy (More informal and direct; strongly focused on sexual appeal.)
|
alluring (Sounds more literary; suggests a mysterious or powerful attraction.)
|
attractive (Broader; can refer to beauty without a clear sexual meaning.)
Antonyms
unattractive (General lack of physical appeal; can be softer than calling someone ugly.)
|
unappealing (Suggests that someone or something does not create interest or desire.)
Themes
relationships
|appearance
|emotions
Definition
Very attractive in a sexual or romantic way.
Sexually attractive, or considered a very appealing choice as a romantic or sexual partner.
C1
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
it is desirable that [clause]
It is desirable that all applications be submitted by the end of the month.
Kívánatos, hogy minden pályázat beérkezzen a hónap végéig.
From a safety point of view, it is highly desirable to wear a helmet.
Biztonsági szempontból erősen ajánlatos sisakot viselni.
Regular exercise is desirable for maintaining good health.
In this climate, it is desirable to use materials that can withstand high temperatures.
Learner examples
It is desirable that students arrive on time.
Célszerű, hogy a diákok időben érkezzenek.
In cold weather, it is desirable to wear warm clothes.
Hideg időben ajánlatos meleg ruhát viselni.
For your health, regular sleep is desirable.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "desirable" here in very informal speech, where "a good idea" or "a good thing" is more natural (e.g., instead of "It is desirable to save money," native speakers might say "It's a good idea to save money"). Also, in the pattern "it is desirable that", formal English sometimes uses the subjunctive ("that he be present") rather than "is" ("that he is present"), which can be confusing.
Meaning
advisable or preferable
Collocations
it is desirable that
|considered desirable
|where desirable
|socially desirable
|desirable from a safety standpoint
Synonyms
advisable (Very close in meaning; slightly more common in advice or warnings.)
|
preferable (Stresses being better than other options rather than general goodness.)
|
recommended (Often used when experts or rules suggest something.)
Antonyms
inadvisable (Formal; clearly states that something should not be done.)
|
undesirable (Stresses that something is not wanted and may cause problems.)
Themes
formal
|policy
|planning
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Good or wise to do, because it will probably give a better result.
Advisable or preferred because it is likely to produce a better or more suitable result.
Grammar
Dictionary form
desirable
IPA
GB/dɪzˈaɪɚəbəl/
US/dɪzˈaɪɚəbəl/
Syllables & stress
de - sir - able (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (sir)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: desirable
Word family
Core family
desire
noun B1
Related words
desirably
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
undesirable
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
desirability
noun C1
Expressions
desirable outcome
1/dɪzˈaɪɚəbəl ˈaʊtkˌʌm/
fixed phrase
wanted or good result
A result that people hope for because it is good or helpful.
Examples
- Lowering the crime rate is a desirable outcome of the new policy.
- The most desirable outcome would be a quick and peaceful agreement.
desirable qualities
1/dɪzˈaɪɚəbəl kwˈɑlətiz/
fixed phrase
good personal qualities
Good or useful parts of a person's character or skills that people like or want.
Examples
- Patience and honesty are desirable qualities in a teacher.
- The job description lists several desirable qualities, including flexibility and creativity.
highly desirable
1/hˈaɪli dɪzˈaɪɚəbəl/
fixed phrase
very much wanted
Very strongly wanted because it is very good, useful, or attractive.
Examples
- Previous experience in this field is highly desirable.
- The apartment has a balcony and a garden, both highly desirable features.
it is desirable that
1/ˈɪt ˈɪz dɪzˈaɪɚəbəl ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
formal
saying something is advisable
Used to say that something should happen because it would be good, wise, or helpful.
Examples
- It is desirable that all members attend the meeting in person.
- In order to reduce delays, it is desirable that you submit the form online.
- The report concludes that it is desirable that the law be changed.
socially desirable
1/sˈoʊʃəli dɪzˈaɪɚəbəl/
fixed phrase
approved by society
Seen as good or normal by most people in a society.
Examples
- In many cultures, it is socially desirable to be married by a certain age.
- People often give socially desirable answers in surveys instead of saying what they really think.