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

The study found the answer lies, at least in part, in monarchs’ relationship to their preferred food, milkweed. —Drew Kann, AJC.com, 12 Jan. 2026

And while medications and therapy are important tools, Fabiano says exercise is recognized as a preferred treatment for depression. —Allison Aubrey, NPR, 12 Jan. 2026

In her three years as president of Santiago Canyon College, Jeannie Kim has taken the lead on a series of initiatives, with the goal of elevating the status of SCC from simply another community college to becoming a preferred choice for prospective students. —Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 12 Jan. 2026

At the 2025 Golden Globes, Grande wore a gown in her preferred Old Hollywood/Good Witch silhouette but in black instead of baby pink. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 Jan. 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