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.
"That has to be within the control of a UK, preferably UK-owned firm, but certainly a UK firm that understands the ethics and way that the NHS works," he told AFP.
From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026
In an email released in civil litigation, Mitchell suggested the society make charitable donations — preferably in Maine — which would make it seem like a legitimate nonprofit.
From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026
Whether Mr. Ueda or Ms. Takaichi—or preferably both in concert—can navigate out of this thicket will determine whether the yen needs rescuing again soon.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
"The requirements for men are very high in my city. You need to have a car, a house and your family should preferably run a business," he says.
From BBC ● Aug. 10, 2026
Though, to be fair, I’d been looking for a platonic friend, preferably female.
From "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi
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.
