preferred

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   Chosen or liked more than the other possible options.

   Grammar: Usually comes before a noun: my preferred seat, not the seat is preferred.

   Patterns

   • the preferred option
   • the preferred method of something

   Email is her preferred way of staying in touch.

   The preferred candidate had ten years of experience.

   What is your preferred time for the meeting?

2. 2adjectivebefore a nounbusinessfinance

   Given special rank or advantage over others, as with shares that are paid first or customers who receive better terms.

   Grammar: Common in business: preferred stock, preferred customers.

   Patterns

   • a preferred supplier
   • preferred shares

   Preferred shareholders are paid before common shareholders.

   The hotel gives preferred rates to frequent guests.

   She is on the list of preferred suppliers.

3. 3verbtransitive

   Past tense and past participle of prefer: liked something better than something else.

   Grammar: Takes an object and often to: she preferred tea to coffee.

   Patterns

   • preferred something to something
   • preferred to do something

   He preferred the window seat to the aisle.

   They preferred to walk rather than take the bus.

Common combinations

preferred option

Cash is the preferred option for small shops.

preferred choice

Blue was the preferred choice among voters.

preferred method

What is your preferred method of payment?

preferred customer

Preferred customers get early access to sales.

preferred stock

The investor bought preferred stock for its steady dividends.

Synonyms and how they differ

favorite

Favorite suggests affection and the best of all, while preferred just means chosen over alternatives.

chosen

Chosen only says something was picked, not that it was liked better.

favored

Favored suggests official or general approval, sometimes unfair advantage, and not only personal liking.

selected

Selected is neutral and emphasizes the act of picking, while preferred emphasizes taste.

Opposites

Word family

prefer verb

to like one thing better than another

preference noun

a greater liking for one thing over another

preferable adjective

more desirable or suitable

preferably adverb

if possible, as a first choice

preferential adjective

giving an advantage to one person or group

Commonly confused: preferred or preferable?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “preferred”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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