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pref·er·a·ble
 preferable
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- pronunciation:
- pre
f
r
bl
[or]
pref
r
bl
- features:
- Word Combinations (adjective), Word Parts
| part of speech: |
adjective |
| definition 1: |
worthy of being most desired or preferred.
- similar words:
- better
|
| definition 2: |
most desired.
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| related words: |
select |
adverb + (adj.)preferable
always, certainly, clearly, environmentally, far, generally, greatly, highly, infinitely, morally, naturally, obviously, surely, vastly
(adj.)preferable
+ adverb
politically
(adj.)preferable
+ noun
absurdity,
alternative,
apartment,
arrangement,
continuation,
hydrogen,
instability,
isolation,
mandate,
method,
one,
option,
outcome,
placement,
product,
purchasing,
route,
standpoint,
steel,
subsidy,
therapy
[See all][See only the most frequent]
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| derivation: |
preferably (adv.) |
The word preferable
contains the following parts:
pre-
Latin
prefix
that means before
  Example words:
preamble, prearrange, precaution, precede, preclude, preconceive, precook, precursor, predate, predetermine, predict, predictable, prediction, preface, prefect, prefer, preferable, preference, prefix, preheat, prejudice, premonition, prescriptible, present1, preside, president
- synonyms:
- pro-2, ante-
- antonyms:
- post-
fer, lat2, -late
Latin
root
that means carry, bring
More about this word part:
Example words:
ablate, ablation, afferent, aquifer, collate, collation, confer, conference, conifer, correlate, defer1, differ, different, elate, elation, ferry, infer, offer, prefer, preference, preferable, prelate, proliferate, refer, relate, relation, relative, rotifer, suffer, transfer, translate, translation
-able, -ible, -ble
Latin
adjective-forming suffix
that means capable of being, doing, or undergoing
More about this word part:
The suffix -able
, and its variants, is attached to Latin verb roots or English transitive verbs to form adjectives. (In a small set of cases, -able
is attached to a noun, e.g. knowledgeable and marriageable.) For spelling purposes, it is useful to know that -able
is more likely to be added to a whole English word (comparable
, adorable
), while -ible
is more likely to follow a bound root (visible
, legible
). However,there are still many words which combine a root with -able
(capable
, inevitable
). The suffix -ity can be added to any adjective ending in -able
, -ible
, -ble
to produce a corresponding noun ending in -ability, -ibility, -bility (possible
+ -ity > possibility; irrevocable
+ -ity > irrevocability.)
Example words:
acceptable, accessible, admissible, adorable, amiable, amicable, audible, avoidable, believable, bearable, biodegradable, capable, calculable, cognizable, comparable, compatible, comprehensible, conformable, conversable, convertible, corrigible, credible, creditable, curable, dependable, despicable, disagreeable, disposable, divisible, eligible, explicable, flammable, flexible, illegible, illimitable, imaginable, immiscible, immovable, immutable, impalpable, impassable, impeccable, impermeable, impermissible, imperturbable, implacable, implausible, imponderable, impossible, impregnable, inalienable, inaudible, incapable, incalculable, incommunicable, incomprehensible, inconceivable, detectable, conceivable, incorrigible, incredible, incurable, indefeasible, indelible, indescribable, indestructible, indivisible, indomitable, ineligible, ineluctable, ineradicable, inescapable, inevitable, inexorable, inexpiable, inexplicable, infallible, inhospitable, inimitable, inscrutable, inseparable, insuperable, intangible, interminable, intractable, invaluable, invariable, invincible, invisible, irrefragable, irrefutable, irremissible, irreparable, irreversible, irrevocable, legible, likable, lovable, manageable, measurable, movable, navigable, notable, opposable, palpable, perishable, permissible, placable, portable, possible, potable, predictable, preferable, prescriptible, recognizable, remissible, reprehensible, reversible, risible, semipermeable, sensible, superable, susceptible, tangible, tenable, tolerable, tractable, transmissible, unsupportable, usable, viable, visible, washable, affordable, allowable, reliable, remarkable, approachable, disputable, drinkable, durable, eatable, renewable, sustainable, unshakable
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