preferential

American  

[pref-uh-ren-shuhl] / ˌprɛf əˈrɛn ʃəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or of the nature of preference.

   preferential policies.

2. showing or giving preference.

   a preferential hiring system.

3. receiving or enjoying preference, as a country in trade relations; favored.

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preferential British  

/ ˌprɛfəˌrɛnʃɪˈælɪtɪ, ˌprɛfəˈrɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. showing or resulting from preference

2. giving, receiving, or originating from preference in international trade

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Other Word Forms

• nonpreferential adjective
• nonpreferentialism noun
• nonpreferentially adverb
• preferentialism noun
• preferentialist noun
• preferentiality noun
• preferentially adverb
• quasi-preferential adjective
• quasi-preferentially adverb

Etymology

Origin of preferential

1840–50; < Medieval Latin praeferenti ( a ) preference + -al ¹

Explanation

Something that's preferential gives one person or group a big advantage over others. If your soccer coach never makes you sit on the bench and always hands you the first Gatorade, she gives you preferential treatment. Giving preferential treatment or having a preferential attitude shows that you are partial to one person or group of people. And if you act in a preferential way, it gives the person you prefer an advantage over everyone else. Preferential treatment could include giving one party guest the first pick of party favors, or a state government giving one school district more money than other schools.

Example Sentences

There was a desire to set a precedent and avoid perceptions that Fernandez, one of the squad's senior figures, had received preferential treatment.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Under normal circumstances, the jointly stored crude is commercially used, but in the event of an emergency, Japanese oil companies have preferential purchasing rights.

From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026

Iran generally views these countries “as neutral or friendly, giving them the best chance of preferential access,” the J.P.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 17, 2026

Proposition 209 forbids discrimination against or preferential treatment for anyone “on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin” in “public employment, public education, or public contracting.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

What else is a preferential option for the poor in medicine?

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Related Words

• advantageous
• preferred