desirability

C1 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /dɪˌzaɪrəˈbɪləti/ UK /dɪˌzaɪərəˈbɪləti/ See IPA manual

Freq #92679

Meanings

1

noun
the quality or degree of being wanted, attractive, beneficial, or worth having or doing

The committee questioned the desirability of replacing a proven system during the busiest season.
2

noun
the quality of causing romantic or sexual attraction

The novel examines how wealth can alter a person's perceived desirability.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the quality or degree of... attractiveness appeal advantage

2 noun · the quality of causing... attractiveness allure appeal

Opposites

undesirabilityunattractivenessdisadvantage

Word family

Derived forms undesirability

Related forms desirable desire wanted preference

Etymology

Formed from desirable + -ity. Desirable combines desire, borrowed through Old French from Latin desiderare ("to long for or desire"), with -able; the noun therefore denotes the state or degree of being desirable.

Topics

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# desirability

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C1
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /dɪˌzaɪrəˈbɪləti/
**IPA (UK):** /dɪˌzaɪərəˈbɪləti/
**Frequency rank:** 92679

## Meanings
1. the quality or degree of being wanted, attractive, beneficial, or worth having or doing
2. the quality of causing romantic or sexual attraction

## Examples
- The committee questioned the desirability of replacing a proven system during the busiest season.
- The novel examines how wealth can alter a person's perceived desirability.

## Synonyms
- attractiveness
- appeal
- allure
- advantage

## Antonyms
- undesirability
- unattractiveness
- disadvantage

## Derived Forms
- undesirability

## Related Forms
- desirable
- desire
- wanted
- preference

## Etymology
Formed from desirable + -ity. Desirable combines desire, borrowed through Old French from Latin desiderare ("to long for or desire"), with -able; the noun therefore denotes the state or degree of being desirable.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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