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 of preferred

• selected
• select
• favorite
• favored
• chosen

Examples of preferred in a Sentence

my preferred means of communication is e-mail

Recent Examples on the Web

Exactly what will happen remains to be seen, as there are multiple possible paths to follow and multiple possible outcomes — including the owner selling to the city’s preferred receiver, according to a city presentation. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2026

The Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge rose to a new three-year high in May as gas prices peaked during the war with Iran. — Moriah Balingit, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026

Tailor The Experience To Your Audience One strategy is understanding the audience and their preferred user interface—developers do not appreciate wasting tokens or time on frills rather than the substance of their ask. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Fully on-site work is the preferred arrangement for just 4% of millennials, according to a recent Gallup poll. — Preston Fore, Fortune, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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