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 preferred outcome, Toberoff says, would be for the court to force OpenAI to remain a true nonprofit—a result that would effectively unwind its corporate structure and jeopardize tens of billions in investor funding. —Tom Dotan, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026

Among the store’s wares, Pickowicz admired a cute pink camp stove, her preferred heat source for hot pot. —Charlotte Goddu, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026

As of 2024, half of the state’s workers were eligible for remote work, and 74% of those workers preferred telework, according to the Department of General Services’ estimate at the time. —Yue Stella Yu feb. 22, Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026

Built also makes bars in flavors such as Blue Razz Blast, Strawberries ‘n Cream, and Banana Cream Pie—all with a similar nutritional profile to my preferred coconut version. —Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 22 Feb. 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