I. -ˈzīrəbəl adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from desirer + -able
1. : capable of arousing desire:
a. : having the power to attract or bring into demand : of such properties or qualities as to be wished for or sought
one of the city's most desirable neighborhoods
a plant species that may prove to be commercially desirable
often : so valuable or excellent as to assure being desired or selected
b. : such as to awake urgent or passionate longing or craving
there are circumstances in which a scoop of dirty water can be supremely desirable
especially : exciting erotic longing
she was never more desirable than at this moment
2.
a. : worth seeking or doing as advantageous, beneficial, or wise : advisable , expedient
having the footnotes at the back of the book is not nearly so desirable
even if the highest education were desirable for all, which I doubt — Bertrand Russell
desirable freedom and individual responsibility of the elective system — Official Register of Harvard University
b. : suited to the purposes and objectives of normal society
however desirable a common language for all the world may be — I.A.Richards
the personal opinion of the judge as to what is desirable or undesirable legislation — M.R.Cohen
II. noun
( -s )
: one that is desirable
a balanced diet and adequate rest are basic desirables for any convalescent
: a person or thing that merits or attracts desire or favorable attention and consideration
fostering the desirables and weeding out the undesirables
often : a person regarded as of high social standing and eligibility
moving always in a small circle of desirables he scarcely knew the lower world of clubs and theaters and balls existed