preferred

adjective

pre·​ferred pri-ˈfərd 

1

: liked better or best : used or wanted in preference to others

a preferred method

'Leveled' is the preferred spelling in American English.

2

: having special status or receiving special treatment or benefits

preferred customers

Synonyms of preferred

• selected
• select
• favorite
• favored
• chosen

Examples of preferred in a Sentence

my preferred means of communication is e-mail

Recent Examples on the Web

Writers Guild of America membership and familiarity with FileMaker Pro are listed as preferred qualifications. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Poetry, however, was his preferred medium; most novels failed to move him. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 8 July 2026

Previously, medical tourists from North America largely preferred countries in the same hemisphere, such as Mexico, Brazil and Colombia, Zaman said. — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 8 July 2026

In March 2025, FDNY began requiring ambulances to transport patients to the nearest hospital rather than a preferred one, which on its own changes how long transport takes. — Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing preferred

• preferred provider
• preferred provider organization
• preferred stock

Rhymes for preferred

• afterword
• firebird
• hummingbird
• ladybird
• mockingbird
• overheard
• thunderbird
• undergird
• undeterred
• absurd
• averred
• bluebird