preferable

CEFRB2

/ˈpɹɛf.(ə.)ɹə.b(ə)l/

adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

01
adjective
Better or more suitable than another choice.
02
adjective
Extra detail
Better than some other option; preferred.

Examples

Bad news is preferable to an absence of information.
I think death is preferable to shame.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses: 2
Parts of speech: 1
Citations: 4

Also pronounced

/ˈpɹef.(ə.)ɹə.b(ə)l/

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In context

Work is preferable to idleness.
It is not to the point that an inequality of material goods, at high levels, may not be preferable to an equality of material goods at a lower level, precisely for such reasons as self-respect.
While adopting the pronoun as a nonbinary description is vastly preferable for some, Merriam-Webster says, there has also been some debate that it is ungrammatical.

Quick test

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Question 1 · Quick check

Taking the train is much blank to driving because it saves time.

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Citations

The word in print, with each source given in full.

It is not to the point that an inequality of material goods, at high levels, may not be preferable to an equality of material goods at a lower level, precisely for such reasons as self-respect.
2007, Ted Honderich, On political means and social ends, →ISBN, page 94
This work has been the care and ſtudy of ſome years; as far as health, and other affairs, would permit. For, this appeared, to the author, of as much greater importance, than any other hiſtory whatever; as morality and religion are more excellent, than any temporal affairs; and the hiſtory of true religion, præferrable to that of impoſtures and deluſions.
1756, George Benson, “The Præface. To the First Edition.”, in The History of the First Planting of the Christian Religion: Taken from the Acts of the Apostles, and Their Epistles. Together with the Remarkable Facts of the Jewish and Roman History; Which Affected the Christians, Within This Period., the second edition, volume the first, London: […] J. Waugh and W. Fenner, page v
While adopting the pronoun as a nonbinary description is vastly preferable for some, Merriam-Webster says, there has also been some debate that it is ungrammatical.
2019 September 17, Kendall Trammell, “Merriam-Webster adds the nonbinary pronoun ‘they’ to its dictionary”, in CNN
If you’re looking for the most breathable mask, Lukovics says, “Cotton is preferable, mainly for absorbing moisture/sweat.” She says multiple layers may be more protective but will also impact breathability.
2021 August 17, Elizabeth Wallace and Kai Burkhardt, “12 breathable face masks to protect you while exercising”, in CNN

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Origin

adjective

From prefer + -able, probably after Middle French preferable. Compare preference, preferential, etc.

Deep Dive

More examples

Quick test

Taking the train is much blank— to driving because it saves time.

Nearby

Origin

adjective

Taking the train is much blank to driving because it saves time.