What does preferable mean?
Preferable means more desirable, better, or more suitable than another possibility. It is especially useful when comparing options and is commonly paired with the preposition “to”: “A train would be preferable to flying.” The word can refer to practical choices, such as transport or scheduling, as well as to aesthetic, ethical, or stylistic judgments. In formal and informal English alike, it is often more precise than simply saying “better,” because it indicates a comparative preference without necessarily implying that one choice is objectively good in every respect. A common alternative is “preferred,” but that word often suggests an option that has actually been chosen, whereas “preferable” describes what someone considers preferable.
adjectiveMore desirable or better than an alternative; preferred.
- More desirable or better than another option.
"It would be preferable to arrive before the meeting begins."
"Walking is preferable to driving in heavy traffic."
"The editor considered the shorter version preferable to the original."
Say “preferable to,” not “more preferable”: the comparison is already built into the word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does preferable come from?
“Preferable” was formed in English from “prefer,” with the suffix “-able,” meaning “capable of being” or “liable to be.” “Prefer” comes from Latin praeferre, literally “to put before,” from prae- (“before”) and ferre (“to carry” or “bear”). Its development reflects the idea of placing one thing before another in order or regard.
Related word forms
How preferable is actually used
Commonly used in the construction “preferable to,” especially with a noun or gerund. It is generally more idiomatic to say “more preferable” only when making a comparison between two already-preferred options.
Easily confused with preferable
“Preferable” describes what is more desirable in general, while “preferred” identifies the option actually chosen or held in higher regard.
“Preferable” means better or more desirable, whereas “preferential” usually means giving priority or advantage to one person or thing over another.