Advisable means wise or sensible to do, something you should seriously consider because it's a smart choice. When your teacher says it's advisable to start your book report early rather than waiting until the night before it's due, she means it would be smart thinking on your part.

The word suggests a strong recommendation based on good reasons, going beyond mere permission or possibility. Lots of things are possible but not advisable. It's possible to ride your bike without a helmet, but it's not advisable. It's possible to spend all your allowance on candy the day you get it, but that's not advisable either.

When something is advisable, there are good reasons supporting it, even if those reasons aren't always obvious at first. A doctor might say it's advisable to rest when you have the flu. Your parents might say it's advisable to apologize after you've hurt someone's feelings. In each case, the word points toward the thoughtful, prudent choice, the one that considers likely consequences.

You'll often hear this word in more formal settings: weather reports might say it's advisable to stay indoors during a storm, or a park ranger might say it's advisable to make noise while hiking in bear country. The word carries a note of serious recommendation without being a direct command.