desirability
/dɪˌzaɪərəˈbɪləti/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˌzaɪərəˈbɪləti/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˌzī-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē/ (ame, mw)
desirability — noun
1. the quality that makes other people feel physically or romantically drawn toward
the quality that makes other people feel physically or romantically drawn towards you
Amara's warm smile and confident walk gave her a natural desirability that others noticed.
collocation: natural desirability
The film examines how social media changes young people's sense of romantic desirability.
Chidi never worried about his physical desirability, but his friends told him he was very attractive.
A person's desirability often depends more on their personality than on their appearance.
Some actors worry that growing older will reduce their romantic desirability in the film industry.
- allure
more mysterious or fascinating quality, often with a sense of temptation
- sex appeal
more informal and specifically about physical/sexual attractiveness
- magnetism
powerful, almost irresistible attracting quality
- charm
pleasant and engaging quality, less directly sexual
- repulsiveness
the quality of causing strong dislike or disgust
文法句型
desirability + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently modified by adjectives such as physical, sexual, or romantic to specify the type of attraction. This sense is distinct from sense 2, which refers to general appeal or worth rather than romantic or physical attraction.
常見錯誤
2. how suitable or appealing something seems, making people want to own it, choose
how suitable or appealing something seems, making people want to own it, choose it, or take part in it
The desirability of the apartment rose sharply after the landlord installed a new heating system.
pattern: desirability + of + noun phrase
Elena questioned the desirability of moving to a city where the cost of living was so high.
pattern: desirability + of + gerund
Jobs in the technology sector have gained great desirability among young university graduates.
Scientists debate the desirability of using artificial intelligence to make medical decisions.
The beachfront property had such high desirability that it sold within three days of listing.
- appeal
more general attracting or interesting quality
- attractiveness
broader than desirability, can apply to ideas, places, or objects
- worth
focuses on value rather than appeal
- value
emphasises usefulness or importance over simple appeal
- undesirability
the quality of being unwanted or not worth having
文法句型
desirability + of + noun/gerund
desirability + to/for + someone
用法筆記
Common in formal or academic writing when evaluating choices, policies, or products. Often appears with prepositions: desirability of (something), desirability to/for (someone). Subject is typically an option, asset, plan, or course of action.