preferential
Americanadjective
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of, relating to, or of the nature of preference.
preferential policies.
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showing or giving preference.
a preferential hiring system.
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receiving or enjoying preference, as a country in trade relations; favored.
adjective
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showing or resulting from preference
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giving, receiving, or originating from preference in international trade
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing preferential
Unequal: A Story of America
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Novel Study: Long Walk to Freedom, Parts Eight–Eleven
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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.
Some physicians expressed concerns about the need to protect patient trust, avoid coercion and prevent preferential treatment for wealthy donors.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 2, 2026
"We could see how the electrons' properties began to have a preferential direction in this interfacial region and behave in a way that stabilized and strengthened the superconducting state," says Lombardi.
From Science Daily • Jun. 17, 2026
The former vice president of Costa Rica is calling for a selection process free from any preferential treatment for women.
From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026
Despite his prior sporting pedigree Martyn, a wicketkeeper, was not shown any preferential treatment when he attended England Over-60s trials at Loughborough University earlier this year.
From BBC • May 11, 2026
What else is a preferential option for the poor in medicine?
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
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.
