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

For decades, the town has been a preferred, if slightly under-the-radar, address for tech founders, venture capitalists, and business executives drawn to its estate-sized lots, exceptional privacy, and proximity to Silicon Valley and San Francisco. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 6 Aug. 2026

Their dense texture makes oyster mushrooms a preferred meat substitute in many dishes. — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026

On top of that, employees will inevitably bring their own preferred tools and use them too. — Arti Raman, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

SpaceX sings on soaring AI costs 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, 6 Aug. 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