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

But this was not the first time Epstein ⁠— who employed Cecile de Jongh, the governor’s wife, as the office manager ⁠for several of his businesses — had received preferential treatment by the government in the Virgin Islands. — Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 7 July 2026

Congress is consumed with whether to extend the preferential trade program, when the more important question is what comes after it. — Daniele Nyirandutiye, semafor.com, 6 July 2026

The preferential treatment of investment income versus labor income. — Annie Lowrey, The Atlantic, 6 July 2026

Royalties and license fees are classified as ordinary income under the tax code, taxed at the same rates as wages, not the preferential long-term capital gains rates that apply to appreciated assets held over a year. — Shehan Chandrasekera, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for preferential

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

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