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.

---

preferential British  

/ ˌprɛfəˌrɛnʃɪˈælɪtɪ, ˌprɛfəˈrɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. showing or resulting from preference

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

---

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

Example Sentences

In that case, sports event contracts would lose their preferential tax treatment.

From Barron's

While those expenditures have fueled some economic growth, they have also put a strain on the country’s budget, leading to funding cuts for some social programs like preferential mortgages.

From The Wall Street Journal

In their appeal, Palace claimed that other clubs had been given preferential treatment to modify their ownership structures for admission to Europe after 1 March.

From BBC

Ireland has enjoyed preferential market and labor access to Britain since its independence in 1922.

From The Wall Street Journal

In those cases, judges said undocumented immigrants were not receiving preferential treatment because of their immigration status but because they attended and graduated from California schools.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• advantageous
• preferred