Desirable means wanted or wished for because of attractive qualities or benefits. A desirable outcome is one you hope will happen. A desirable skill is one that helps you succeed. A desirable trait in a friend might be loyalty or a good sense of humor.

The word often appears when people are making choices or decisions. A house in a desirable neighborhood might have good schools, safe streets, and friendly neighbors. A desirable position on a soccer team could be striker or goalie, depending on what you enjoy. When companies hire employees, they look for desirable qualities like reliability, creativity, or strong communication skills.

Something desirable isn't necessarily the best or most expensive option; it simply has qualities that make people want it. A desirable book might be one that's exciting to read, not the longest one on the shelf. A desirable solution to a problem might be the simplest one that actually works.

The opposite of desirable is undesirable: something you'd prefer to avoid. While getting extra recess is desirable, getting extra homework is undesirable. Understanding what makes something desirable helps you make better choices about what you pursue and what you let go.