preferably

adverb

pref·​er·​a·​bly ˈpre-f(ə-)rə-blē 

also pri-ˈfər-ə-blē

: by choice or preference

—used to indicate what is wanted or preferred

The work should be done soon, preferably by the end of the week.

Applicants should hold a college degree, preferably with teaching experience.

Water thoroughly during the coolest time of day (preferably early morning), then allow soil to dry completely … before watering again.

—Michael MacCaskey

Mound flour on a work surface (preferably wooden) and make a large well in center with your fingertips.

—Lynne Rossetto Kasper

Synonyms of preferably

• rather
• willingly

Examples of preferably in a Sentence

I like football, but preferably watching from the stands rather than being down on the field

Recent Examples on the Web

Pneumonic plague is treated with powerful antibiotics, preferably within 24 hours of the first symptoms, the Cleveland Clinic said. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2026

The advice is nearly always the same — wait until after midnight, preferably until the hours before dawn, then give your eyes half an hour to adjust to the darkness. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026

Philadelphia is now entering a stretch of games that will demand competence (and preferably excellence) from the offense. — Andy Behrens, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026

In the vlog, Combs noted that his main goal for the hunting trip was to shoot, preferably with a bow, and tag a mature elk. — Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined above