preferential

adjective

pref·​er·​en·​tial ˌpre-fə-ˈren(t)-shəl 

1

: showing preference

preferential treatment

2

: employing or creating a preference in trade relations

3

: designed to permit expression of preference among candidates

a preferential primary

4

: giving preference especially in hiring to union members

a preferential shop

preferentially

ˌpre-fə-ˈren(t)-sh(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of preferential in a Sentence

powerful people who demand preferential treatment from politicians

Recent Examples on the Web

The Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824, for example, established colonial spheres of influence for the sake of preferential trade, with Britain’s region of control spanning the Malay Peninsula and Singapore, while the Dutch received control of the Riau-Lingga islands south of the Strait of Malacca. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 21 Nov. 2025

Some in the community felt that Paul was getting preferential treatment because of his powerful family, including his father and grandfather, had served as prosecutors and lawyers in Colleton County for more than a century. —Kc Baker, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025

Further, Department and Division leadership at no time instructed Nevada OSHA’s CAO or staff to apply preferential treatment to this case or any other involving the Boring Company, or direct them to delete, withhold or otherwise hide information pertaining to the May 29 meeting. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 12 Nov. 2025

Democrats alleged Maxwell is getting preferential treatment in prison after speaking with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. —Bart Jansen, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for preferential

• consequential
• deferential
• evidential
• existential
• exponential
• influential
• nonessential
• penitential
• precedential
• presidential
• providential
• referential

Kids Definition

preferential

adjective

pref·​er·​en·​tial ˌpref-ə-ˈren-chəl 

1

: of or relating to preference

2

: showing preference

preferential treatment

3

: creating or using preference in trading

4

: permitting the showing of order of preference (as of candidates in an election)

a preferential ballot

preferentially

-ˈrench-(ə-)lē 

adverb

Legal Definition

preferential

adjective

pref·​e·​ren·​tial ˌpre-fə-ˈren-chəl 

1

: of or constituting a preference

a preferential transfer

2

: giving preference to union members especially in hiring

a preferential shop

3

: showing preference

these creditors may obtain preferential treatment