/'prefrəbl; `prɛfrəbl/
adj (not used with more 不可与more连用) ~ (to sth/doing sth) to be preferred (to sth); more desirable or suitable （对某事物来说）更可取的, 更称心的, 更适宜的
*Cold food would be preferable in this heat. 在这样的热天吃冷食更好.
* He finds country life preferable to living in the city. 他感到在乡村生活比在城市生活要好些.
* Anything was preferable to that dreadful din in the house. 这屋子里乱七八糟的声音叫人难受得无以复加. preferably/ 5prefrEblI; `prZfrEblI/ adv rather than anything, anywhere,etc else （较之其他任何事物、处所等）更可取
*She wanteda cake, preferably one with chocolate icing. 她想吃蛋糕, 最好是有巧克力糖衣的.
* They want to buy a new house, near the sea preferably. 他们要购买一所新房子, 最好在海边.

adj
better or more suitable
　For this dish, fresh herbs and garlic are preferable.
　In warm weather, clothes made of natural fabrics are infinitely preferable (=much better) .
preferable to (doing) sth
　Being taught in a small group is far preferable to being in a large, noisy classroom.