If you say that one thing is preferableto another, you mean that it is more desirable or suitable.
A big earthquake a long way off is preferable to a smaller one nearby. [+ to]
The hazards of the theatre seemed preferable to joining the family paint business. [+ to]
Eating little and often may be preferable to large regular meals.
Synonyms: better, best, chosen, choice More Synonyms of preferable
preferably (prefrəbli)adverb
Do something creative or take exercise, preferably in the fresh air.
Synonyms: ideally, if possible, rather, sooner More Synonyms of preferable
preferable in British English
(ˈprɛfərəbəl, ˈprɛfrəbəl) or preferrable
adjective
preferred or more desirable
▶ USAGE Since preferable already means more desirable, one should not say something is more preferable or most preferable
Derived forms
preferability (ˌpreferaˈbility) or preferableness (ˈpreferableness)
noun
preferable in American English
(ˈprɛfərəbəl)
adjective
more desirable; to be preferred
Derived forms
preferability (ˌpreferaˈbility)
noun or ˈpreferableness
preferably (ˈpreferably)
adverb
Examples of 'preferable' in a sentence
preferable
Teaching better driving skills in a safe and controlled environment is far preferable to using public roads.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Teaching better driving skills in a safe and controlled environment is far preferableto using public roads.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
One good fiction can often feel infinitely preferable to two stolid facts.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Chat is always preferable to chat up.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Yet ritual care of the skin must surely be preferable.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This would surely be preferable to increasing the tuition fees they pay.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
That would surely be preferable to the reluctant creep to the right that he faces otherwise.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Yet the management group that is uniformly old may be preferable to the one that is uniformly too young.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
The nausea gets worse on an empty stomach so eating little and often may be preferable to large regular meals.
Ridgway, Roy Caring for your Unborn Child (1990)
The idea of being unfairly put-upon seems to be infinitely preferable.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
But we won - and winning ugly is always preferable to losing while playing the beautiful game.
The Sun (2011)
But from my point of view, the experience was far preferable to the first time.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
It may be preferable for a wife to issue a petition in England.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
A voluntary scheme would be infinitely preferable.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
A squeeze of lime is always preferable to lemon.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Because do-it-yourself is preferable to the way the broadcasters have been doing it to us for far too long.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This may be preferable to an alternative, such as filing for bankruptcy protection or simply ceasing operations altogether.
Christianity Today (2000)
The myths seem infinitely preferable.
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
The former seems slightly preferable.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
I have tried electronic books for pleasure reading, but hard copy books are preferable by far.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The dull and dutiful trials in The Hague seem preferable.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It is proper for both parties to talk via their host about staggering their attendance times, and far preferable to one being invited and not the other.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
And finally, at the risk of getting really heavy, we ought surely to acknowledge that life is not always preferable to death.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In other languages
preferable
British English: preferable ADJECTIVE
If you say that one thing is preferable to another, you mean that it is more desirable or suitable.
A big earthquake a long way off is preferable to a smaller one nearby.