Preferable

  • 1préférable — [ preferabl ] adj. • 1516; de préférer ♦ Qui mérite d être préféré, choisi. Pour un tel voyage, le train paraît préférable, bien préférable. « Le solide bonheur est préférable aux vains plaisirs qui le détruisent » (Rousseau ). « Ailleurs semble… …

    Encyclopédie Universelle

  • 2preferable — Preferable. adj. de tout genre. Qui merite d estre preferé La vertu est preferable à tous les autres biens. une glorieuse mort est preferable à une vie honteuse. le stile de Ciceron est preferable à celuy de Seneque. personne ne doute que Virgile …

    Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • 3Preferable — Pref er*a*ble, a. [Cf. F. pr[ e]f[ e]rable.] Worthy to be preferred or chosen before something else; more desirable; as, a preferable scheme. Addison. [1913 Webster] …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 4preferable — 1640s, from Fr. préférable, from préfér (see PREFER (Cf. prefer)). Related: Preferably …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 5preferable — is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable. Because it is already a comparative form, it should not be preceded by more, although it may be followed by far, greatly, or much: • Since it was fed with steaks served in gold plated bowls,… …

    Modern English usage

  • 6preferable — I adjective above par, better, choice, chosen, deserving of preference, enjoyable, excellent, excelling, favorite, good, likable, melior, more advantageous, more desirable, more in demand, more pleasing, more popular, more select, picked, potior …

    Law dictionary

  • 7preferable — *better, superior …

    New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • 8preferable — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ more desirable or suitable. DERIVATIVES preferability noun …

    English terms dictionary

  • 9preferable — [pref′ər ə bəl] adj. more desirable; to be preferred preferability n. preferableness preferably adv …

    English World dictionary

  • 10preferable — adj. 1) preferable to 2) preferable to + inf. (it is preferable to remain silent) 3) preferable that + clause; subj. (it is preferable that she go alone) USAGE NOTE: This adjective can be used in several ways walking is preferable to riding; it s …

    Combinatory dictionary