preferable

/'prefərəbl/

Thân thiện

A hot cup of coffee is preferable to a cold drink on a chilly morning.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • More desirable or suitable than another option: Used to indicate that one thing is a better choice than another in a given context.

Usage

• The adjective "preferable" is used to compare two or more options, explicitly stating that one is more desirable. It is often followed by "to" when comparing two specific things.
• It describes a state of being favored or recommended over alternatives.

Examples

• Basic Usage:
  • A quiet evening at home is preferable to a loud party. (One option is explicitly stated as more desirable than the other.)
  • For this recipe, fresh herbs are preferable. (Fresh herbs are presented as the more suitable choice compared to dried ones, which is implied.)
  • The manager found the first proposal preferable. (The proposal is judged as the more desirable option among those considered.)

Advanced Usage

• "infinitely / vastly preferable": Used for strong emphasis.
  • Working from home is infinitely preferable to a long daily commute.
• "be preferable to do something": Used with an infinitive to state a recommended action.
  • It is preferable to book tickets in advance.
• "the preferable option / choice / alternative": Used as a modifier before a noun.
  • The committee will discuss the preferable alternative.

Variants and Related Words

• Prefer (verb): To like one thing or person better than another.
  • I prefer coffee to tea.
• Preference (noun): A greater liking for one alternative over another.
  • My preference is for a window seat.
• Preferentially (adverb): In a way that shows preference.
  • Resources were allocated preferentially to critical projects.

Synonyms

• More desirable: Better or more wanted.
• More advisable: Worthy of being recommended.
• Better: Of a more excellent or effective type.

Antonyms

• Inferior: Lower in quality or value.
• Less desirable: Not as wanted or suitable.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• (The) lesser of two evils: The less bad of two poor choices. This phrase is conceptually related when "preferable" is used to choose between two unfavorable options.
  • For many voters, he was simply the lesser of two evils. (Implies he was the preferable, though not ideal, candidate.)

Học thuật

Adjective

1. more desirable than another
   • coffee is preferable to tea
   • Danny's preferred name is `Dan'

Từ đồng nghĩa

• preferred