preferably
adverb
pref·er·a·bly
ˈpre-f(ə-)rə-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
Michael MacCaskeyMound flour on a work surface (preferably wooden) and make a large well in center with your fingertips.—Lynne Rossetto Kasper
Lynne Rossetto KasperExamples 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
Boats are only allowed beyond those points, preferably to watch from the ocean, by taking a vessel out to nearby Zach’s Bay.
—Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
Scarpa recommends picking a heat pump with the highest seasonal energy efficiency rating, preferably above 15.
—Khanh T.l. Tran, USA Today, 20 May 2025
The simplified approach: Attack the zone quickly to establish a favorable count (0-2 or 1-2, preferably), then try to induce a chase pitch outside of the zone.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Which means they must be moved to safety immediately, preferably to other facilities not owned or operated by The Dolphin Company — which in my view, has shown itself to be both incapable and unconcerned with caring for marine mammals.
—Jay Reddick, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2025
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Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 23 May 2025
Scarpa recommends picking a heat pump with the highest seasonal energy efficiency rating, preferably above 15.
—Khanh T.l. Tran, USA Today, 20 May 2025
The simplified approach: Attack the zone quickly to establish a favorable count (0-2 or 1-2, preferably), then try to induce a chase pitch outside of the zone.
—Katie Woo, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Which means they must be moved to safety immediately, preferably to other facilities not owned or operated by The Dolphin Company — which in my view, has shown itself to be both incapable and unconcerned with caring for marine mammals.
—Jay Reddick, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for preferably
Cite this Entry
“Preferably.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preferably. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
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