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

Yun Li Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news. —Dylan Butts, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026

The Commerce Department will report the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge for February on Thursday, though that won’t incorporate any effect from the Iran conflict. —Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026

The agreement with Sacramento City Unified School District stemmed from a complaint brought in 2022 by a student after a teacher refused to use preferred pronouns or to place the student, who identified as male, in a boys’ group for a class activity. —ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026

However, the preferred street parking in the city is free for two hours. —Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 6 Apr. 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