desirableadj.n.
/dɪˈzʌɪərəb(ə)l/ A. adj.† 2. To be regretted or desiderated; regrettable.† 3. Characterized by or full of desire. Obsolete.
1. Worthy to be desired; to be wished for. In early use often standing for the qualities which cause a thing to be desired: Pleasant, delectable, choice, excellent, goodly.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [adjective] > desirable
yearninglyOE
desiderablea1340
desirablea1382
desirefulc1384
dainteousc1386
fairc1410
desirous1430
expetible1569
lustful?1610
appetible1622
desiderate1640
honeysuckle1660
deligible1680
wantable1886
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Prov. xxi. 20 Desyrable tresor and oile in the dwelling place of the riȝtwis.
1490 Caxton's Blanchardyn & Eglantine (1962) xxiii. 80 Blanchardyn..as that thinge whiche most he desyred in this world, dyde accepte this gracyouse and desyrable ansuere.
1573 G. Harvey Schollers Loove in Let.-bk. (1884) 126 Greate varietye of desirable flowers.
1611 Bible (King James) Ezek. xxiii. 12 She doted vpon the Assyrians..horsemen riding vpon horses, all of them desireable young men. View more context for this quotation
1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. iii. §7 No evil is in its self desirable, or to be chosen.
a1781 R. Watson Hist. Reign Philip III (1783) iii. 217 It was surely desirable to put a period to these calamities.
1833 J. Holland Treat. Manuf. Metal II. 301 This exceedingly convenient and desirable machine.
1891 H. Matthews in Law Times 92 96/1 Some general modifications in the rules..are now desirable.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > regret > [adjective] > regrettable
regrettable1603
desirable1652
sad1664
tragic1868
1652 T. Froysell Gale of Opportunity 1 He lived amiable, and dyed desirable.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [adjective] > desirous
willesfula1250
desirousc1300
wilful1340
desiringc1386
desireda1400
talentivec1400
willinga1425
lusty1493
desiranta1500
desireful?1520
fond1551
lusting1559
desirable1759
1759 S. Fielding Hist. Countess of Dellwyn II. 23 With the desireable View of rendering her Smiles or Frowns of Consequence.
B. n.
1. That which is desirable; a desirable property or thing.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > desire > [noun] > object of desire
willeOE
desire1340
appetitec1386
flight1530
optative1605
catch1609
desiderate1640
desirable1645
desideratuma1651
eligible1656
appetible1715
lookout1795
desideration1836
ooh-ah1957
1645 E. Willan in C. H. Spurgeon Treasury of David (1870) I. Ps. xvi. 11 All these desirables are encircled within the compass of the first remarkable.
1721 I. Watts Serm. ii, in Wks. (1812) I. 18 He..despises fame..pleasure and riches, and all mortal desirables.
1797 A. M. Bennett Beggar Girl VI. viii. 314 Besides the desirables it would purchase [etc.].
1873 R. Broughton Nancy II. 82 At that time, you see, he had not all the desirables.
2. One who is desirable.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > [noun] > social mobility > socially desirable > person
desirable1852
1669 H. More Antidote Idolatry viii. 93 The highest of all desirables, that is, God himself.
1852 R. S. Surtees Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour iii. xvi. 83 Certainly all parties concurred in placing him high on the list of ‘desirables’.
1904 Daily Chron. 21 Sept. 8/5 Nor did the individual who spoke proudly of ‘moving in a circle’—of ‘desirables’—realise the vulgarity of the expression.
1905 Westm. Gaz. 21 June 8/2 The real undesirables..would have to be kept back and looked after until they became ‘desirables’.
1908 Westm. Gaz. 26 June 2/1 Could not the undesirables be got rid of, and the desirables multiplied?
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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adj.n.a1382