preferential

[ pref-uh-ren-shuhl ]

/ ˌprɛf əˈrɛn ʃəl /

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See synonyms for preferential on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of, relating to, or of the nature of preference: preferential policies.

showing or giving preference: a preferential hiring system.

receiving or enjoying preference, as a country in trade relations; favored.

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Question 1 of 7

Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?

First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.

First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.

First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.

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Origin of preferential

1840–50; <Medieval Latin praeferenti(a) preference + -al¹

OTHER WORDS FROM preferential

pref·er·en·tial·ism, nounpref·er·en·tial·ist, nounpref·er·en·tial·ly, adverbnon·pref·er·en·tial, adjective

non·pref·er·en·tial·ly, adverbnon·pref·er·en·tial·ism, nounqua·si-pref·er·en·tial, adjectivequa·si-pref·er·en·tial·ly, adverb

Words nearby preferential

preferably, preference, preference share, preference shares, preference stock, preferential, preferential shop, preferential voting, preferment, preferred gender pronoun, preferred lie

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for preferential

The elder Brooks said his wife, Richelle, is handling it well, but “because Al’s the beloved son, he always gets preferential treatment.”
When Houston and Baylor meet in the Final Four, it will be father vs. son on the sidelines|Emily Giambalvo|April 1, 2021|Washington Post
Swarns launched a New York Times investigation, and within three years, Georgetown announced plans to raise $400,000 annually to benefit the descendants of the enslaved people they sold while also offering them preferential admissions status.
Check Out These 16 World-Changing Ideas|Nick Fouriezos|March 23, 2021|Ozy
Hall even made it clear that his problem is less with the preferential admissions, but with the lack of transparency.
The University of Texas’s Machiavellian War on Its Regent|David Davis|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Either way, part of the tragedy and poignancy of polio is its preferential spread to babies and toddlers.
Who’s to Blame for Global Polio Emergency?|Kent Sepkowitz|May 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The preferential ballot will definitely favor Gravity, which I felt was a superior film anyway.
And the Best Picture Oscar Goes to… ‘12 Years A Slave,’ ‘Gravity,’ or ‘American Hustle?’|Kevin Fallon, Marlow Stern|March 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Crony capitalism,” for example, typically refers to preferential relationships between politicians and business interests.
Sarah Palin’s Left-Right Mash-Up|David Sessions|September 4, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Jews enjoy preferential access to land ownership throughout most of the country.
Do Israelis Exist?|David Kaufman|April 12, 2010|DAILY BEAST
In 1894 a second Conference was held at Ottawa, mainly to discuss intercolonial preferential trade.
The Canadian Dominion|Oscar D. Skelton
The other Premiers agreed to consider whether Canada's preferential tariff policy could be followed.
The Canadian Dominion|Oscar D. Skelton
This is the weak point in Preferential Voting; any small section can ensure the rejection of a general favourite.
Proportional Representation Applied To Party Government|T. R. Ashworth and H. P. C. Ashworth
As for the idea of the preferential Union shop, it had undoubtedly been gaining ground.
Making Both Ends Meet|Sue Ainslie Clark and Edith Wyatt
They almost mobbed the East Side leaders, with their voluble questioning about the preferential Union shop.
Making Both Ends Meet|Sue Ainslie Clark and Edith Wyatt

British Dictionary definitions for preferential

preferential

/ (ˌprɛfəˈrɛnʃəl) /

adjective

showing or resulting from preference

giving, receiving, or originating from preference in international trade

Derived forms of preferential

preferentiality (ˌprɛfəˌrɛnʃɪˈælɪtɪ), nounpreferentially, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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preferential

adjective

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Origin of preferential

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Example sentences from the Web for preferential

British Dictionary definitions for preferential

adjective

Derived forms of preferential

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

preferential

adjective

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!

Origin of preferential

OTHER WORDS FROM preferential

Words nearby preferential

Words related to preferential

Example sentences from the Web for preferential

British Dictionary definitions for preferential

adjective

Derived forms of preferential