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.
“Hag” is meant to be watched, enjoyed and watched all over again, preferably with a different set of friends than the first go-round so the gospel can spread as quickly as possible.
From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026
In early March, Bern announced its intention to examine the acquisition of an additional long-range surface-to-air missile system, preferably manufactured in Europe, to complement the Patriot system.
From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026
“For the market to buy back into the hyperscalers will require a clearer path to monetization, preferably into the context of healthy margins,” they said.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 20, 2026
We would love to host this on a budget and preferably either in the San Fernando Valley or on the Westside.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2026
“As I was saying .. . your project for this . .. class is to report on ... at least two, preferably three . . . wonders of Indiana.”
From "All The Bright Places" by Jennifer Niven
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.
