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

That means even products that otherwise qualify for preferential treatment under the North American trade pact could have been included in these duties. — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

As Sportico explained, the sale occurring after the one-year anniversary of Walter buying the team last October could save him about $425 million through the preferential treatment of long-term capital gains. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Opportunity Zones, created by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and first designated in 2018, are economically distressed census tracts where taxpayers can receive preferential tax treatment by investing eligible gains through QOFs. — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Trump is profiting from selling preferential access to government information, the lawsuit said. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 12 Aug. 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