preferred

1 of 2

adjective

pre·​ferred pri-ˈfərd 

1

: liked better or best : used or wanted in preference to others

a preferred method

'Leveled' is the preferred spelling in American English.

2

: having special status or receiving special treatment or benefits

preferred customers

preferred

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of prefer

Synonyms of preferred

Adjective

• selected
• select
• favorite
• favored
• chosen

Examples of preferred in a Sentence

Adjective

my preferred means of communication is e-mail

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Its manganese spins continue fluctuating in preferred directions after long-range magnetic order fades. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Oct. 2026

This indicates that black hole jets don't influence gas around galaxies in a uniform manner, but at preferred points. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026

At the Hästens Sleep Spa in Coimbra, Portugal, for example, guests select their preferred pillow firmness at check-in—a small detail designed to make the bed feel more personalized. — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026

Odds for a hike in October also fell in the middle of this week after the release of the personal consumption expenditures price index, the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, on Wednesday showed cooler-than-expected prices. — Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1748, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing preferred

• preferred provider
• preferred provider organization
• preferred stock

Rhymes for preferred

• afterword
• firebird
• hummingbird
• ladybird
• mockingbird
• overheard
• thunderbird
• undergird
• undeterred
• absurd
• averred
• bluebird