desirable English · revision 15506

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1382|origins=la dēsīderō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /dɪˈzaɪəɹəbəl/ ''(UK)''; /dɪˈzaɪɹəbəl/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|desirable]], [[bor|fro|desirable]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from [[m|fro|desirer|t=to desire]] (see [[desire]]) and [[m|fro|-able]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) suggested by [[la|dēsīderābilis]], from [[m|la|dēsīderō|t=to desire]].^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Worthy to be desired: 1382 in the OED, the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) In Middle English it sometimes meant desired, hoped for, welcome.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Regrettable is a sense from 1650,^(OED 1989) and full of desire an obsolete one from 1759.^(OED 1989) The noun, a desirable thing, is from 1645,^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) and a desirable person from 1669.^(OED 1989) Arousing sexual desire is a later sense,^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) and ''a desirable residence'' is the language of estate agents.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1382 – worthy to be desired.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1645 – a desirable (noun).^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1650 – regrettable (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Worth having or seeking; useful, advantageous or pleasing.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Advisable: ''it is desirable that you attend''.^(AHD)

+ # Sexually attractive.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # A desirable person or thing.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[desirability]]

+ * [[desirably]]

+ * [[desirableness]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[desire]]

+ * [[desirous]]

+ * [[desideratum]]

+ * [[consider]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}