preferred

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

Synonyms

• cherry-picked
• choice
• chosen
• elect
• favored
• favorite
• first-line
• handpicked
• picked
• select
• selected

Examples of preferred in a Sentence

my preferred means of communication is e-mail

Recent Examples on the Web

The conservation biologist with Tucson Audubon leads the annual count, moving crews of volunteer birders from range to range by the week to track the population’s trajectory in the bird’s preferred elevations between 5,000 and 6,000 feet. —Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 20 May 2024

Since Becca was Jewish and therefore preferred to be buried rather than cremated per tradition, Karsh had her corpse wrapped in one of his tech company’s newest products: a shroud made from electronic mesh and sensors that composes a detailed visual map of the body. —Leslie Felperin, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing preferred

• preferred provider
• preferred provider organization
• preferred stock