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

• selected
• select
• favorite
• favored
• chosen

Examples of preferred in a Sentence

my preferred means of communication is e-mail

Recent Examples on the Web

Here, though, the research team is trying to model people’s thoughts on financial policy, which is why the enumerated outcomes include initial rate recommendations, made up of a preferred policy rate, a confidence score, and a summary. —John Werner, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

According to the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge — the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index — inflation of goods exposed to tariffs, such as appliances and furniture, has already crept up and could continue to rise in the months ahead. —Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2025

For example, a Mexican user whose preferred language is Spanish will automatically get text overlays on top of English-language thumbnails in their native tongue. —Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 13 Sep. 2025

Wilson subsequently emerged as the preferred candidate. —James McNicholas, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2025

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