/ dɪˈzaɪərəbl; NAmE / adjective
1.
( formal ) desirable (that) ... | desirable (for sb) (to do sth) that you would like to have or do; worth having or doing :
( BrE )
It is desirable that interest rates should be reduced.
( NAmE )
It is desirable that interest rates be reduced.
highly desirable
The house has many desirable features.
It is no longer desirable for adult children to live with their parents.
She chatted for a few minutes about the qualities she considered desirable in a secretary.
Such measures are desirable, if not essential.
OPP undesirable
2.
( of a person ) causing other people to feel sexual desire
► de·sir·abil·ity / dɪˌzaɪərəˈbɪləti; NAmE / noun [ U ] ( formal ):
No one questions the desirability of cheaper fares.
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French , suggested by Latin desiderabilis , from desiderare to desire, perhaps from de- down + sidus , sider- star.