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

Fifty-three percent of respondents at the Conservative Political Action Conference last weekend said Vance was their preferred candidate in the 2028 Republican primary. —Gabe Kaminsky, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026

Textile Exchange said these finding support its pathways to preferred production systems, which aim to eliminate or reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers in alignment with organic and regenerative production practices. —Jennifer Bringle, Sourcing Journal, 30 Mar. 2026

Why Musk is pivoting Tesla watch now Choose CNBC as your preferred source on Google and never miss a moment from the most trusted name in business news. —Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026

Brown, 28, gave the Eagles a list of his four preferred trade destinations, according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. —Megan Armstrong, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 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