preferably
Britishadverb
Explanation
The adverb preferably refers to the most desirable choice. You could say you were looking for a new car, preferably a hybrid. That means that a hybrid is the kind of car you would choose over any other kind. As preferably is the adverb form of the word "prefer," we can find its roots in the Latin praeferre, which means "to set before." When you use preferably you're saying you'd set that choice before all others, though you might accept something else. Musician David Byrne once said, "I wanted to be a secret agent and an astronaut, preferably at the same time."
Vocabulary lists containing preferably
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The 2015 Paris climate accords aimed to limit global warming to well below 2C above pre-industrial levels -- and preferably below 1.5C.
From Barron's • May 28, 2026
At the end of the day, though, Hernández wants to be healthy, preferably in Los Angeles.
From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026
"Everyone should eat their ice cream -- maybe preferably earlier in the day. Small, consistent habits, like maintaining a structured meal routine, may help promote more regular eating patterns and support digestive function over time."
From Science Daily • May 1, 2026
So, from April, registered banks and other financial firms will be allowed to offer targeted support, preferably for free.
From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026
“A pickled carrot sandwich, preferably made with wholemeal bread, is a fine sustainer for an energetic child!”
From "The Bletchley Riddle" by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
