preferential

[ pref-uh-ren-shuh l ]

/ ˌprɛf əˈrɛn ʃəl /

SEE MORE 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.

Nearby words

Origin of preferential

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

Related forms

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for preferential

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

The academy changed the voting rules this year to include 10 Best Picture nominees with preferential ballots.
Oscar Voting Madness|Kim Masters|September 3, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Literary shareholders to the amount of 500 and upwards will be entitled to a preferential boom by way of bonus.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 107, October 6, 1894|Various
Ownership of claim confers the right to reside thereon, and preferential right to a lease.
Getting Gold|J. C. F. Johnson
In nearly every state where there had been a preferential primary Mr. Roosevelt had carried the day.
Contemporary American History, 1877-1913|Charles A. Beard
Preferential mating, he thinks, produces in the long run, persons of exceptional talent.
Charities and the Commons: The Pittsburgh Survey, Part II: The Place|Various
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

British Dictionary definitions for preferential

preferential

/ (ˌprɛfəˈrɛnʃəl) /

adjective

showing or resulting from preference

giving, receiving, or originating from preference in international trade

Derived Formspreferentiality (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

Word Origin and History for preferential

preferential

adj.

1805, from Medieval Latin preferentia, from Latin praeferre (see prefer) + -al (1).

preferential

adjective

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of preferential

Examples from the Web for preferential

preferential

adjective

preferential