4 syllables: De, si, ra, ble. Stress on si.
diz-EYE-ruh-buhl
/dɪˈzaɪɹəbəl/
Desirable is pronounced diz-EYE-ruh-buhl (/dɪˈzaɪɹəbəl/). It has four syllables (De-si-ra-ble), with the stress on "si". Desirable is an adjective describing something that is wanted or sought after, appealing, or worth desiring. It implies a quality or attribute that increases the appeal or value of a thing, opportunity, or outcome. In usage, it often characterizes goals, features, or outcomes that are favorable or attractive to someone’s preferences.
adjectiveDesirable is an adjective describing something that is wanted or sought after, appealing, or worth desiring. It implies a quality or attribute that increases the appeal or value of a thing, opportunity, or outcome. In usage, it often characterizes goals, features, or outcomes that are favorable or attractive to someone’s preferences.
"A desirable car is efficiently designed, fuel-efficient, and stylish."
"The role offered a desirable combination of challenge and opportunity for growth."
"In many markets, a desirable location commands a premium price."
Desirable is pronounced /dɪˈzaɪərəbl/ in US and UK IPA. The primary stress sits on the second syllable: de-SI-ra-ble. Start with /dɪ/ as in 'did' with a relaxed lax vowel, then /ˈzaɪ/ as in 'zye' (a long diphthong), then /ə/ like a schwa, and end with /rəbɫ/ where /ɹ/ is a rhotic approximant, the /ə/ is a quick schwa, and the final /l/ is light or dark depending on accent. In careful speech, end with a clear /l/; in rapid speech, the final /l/ may be elided or syllabic. Audio reference: try listening to Cambridge or Oxford dictionaries’ pronunciation audio for /dɪˈzaɪərəbl/.
Common mistakes include stressing the wrong syllable (placing emphasis on de- instead of SI-), mispronouncing the /aɪ/ as /ɪ/ or /iː/ (wobbling between short and long vowels), and adding an extra syllable or softening the final /l/ too much. A corrective approach: keep primary stress on the second syllable /ˈzaɪə/ portion, produce /ɪ/ or /ɪ/ in the first syllable, maintain /əbl/ at the end with a light schwa before the /l/, and avoid turning the ending into /əl/ with a heavy vowel. Practice with minimal pairs and slowed articulation.
In US, UK, and AU, the core /dɪˈzaɪərəbl/ remains, but vowel qualities vary: US tends to have a rhotacized /ɹ/ and a slightly tensed /ɪ/ in the first syllable; UK often features a clipped /ɪ/ and stronger non-rhoticity affecting the /r/; AU tends toward a flatter vowel quality with a broader /ə/ in the second syllable and a soft /l/ at the end. The stress pattern stays on -SI-, but vowel timbre and speed can shift with connected speech. Listen to native samples for subtle differences.
The difficulty comes from the multi-syllable structure with a stressed diphthong /ˈzaɪ/ and the final /-əbl/ cluster, which can blur in rapid speech. The /ɪ/ in the first syllable must be clear, not reduced to /ə/. The ending /bl/ involves a light /b/ release and /l/ that can merge in loose speech. Also, the second syllable carries primary stress, which can be easy to misplace. Mastery comes from careful articulation of the diphthong and the final consonant cluster.
A unique characteristic is the strong diphthong /aɪ/ in the stressed second syllable, making the word feel longer and more pronounced than many -able adjectives. The sequence /zaiə/ creates a distinctive middle syllable sound that listeners recognize. Make sure the /d/ at the start of the word is light and not swallowed, so the /dɪ/ remains clear before the /ˈzaɪə-/ portion.
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Desirable originates from Middle English desiracion (desire, longing) via the Anglo-French desir able, from Old French desir; the base verb desir- comes from Latin desiderare, from de- (down, away) + sider- (star, lineage? actually sidus meaning star) – historically, desiring something in a future or absent longing. The modern form desirable emerged in the 16th–17th centuries as a loanblend into English through French influence, with -able suffix indicating capability or suitability. The word carried the sense of something that is worthy to be desired, or fit to be sought after. Over time, it broadened from single things to qualities, opportunities, and conditions that people would find favorable. The semantic shift moved from mere longing to a evaluative property—something that is likely to be chosen or pursued because it is advantageous, attractive, or beneficial. First known uses appear in translations of classical texts through medieval Latin and Old French, with English attestations in early modern literature reflecting the rising interest in describing attractive attributes in objects and conditions for consumer or strategic contexts. Contemporary usage emphasizes desirability as a perceived attribute that increases preference in consumer behavior, employment, and lifestyle decisions.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Desirable" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Desirable" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Desirable"
-ble sounds
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