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preferential

[ pref-uh-ren-shuhl ]
/ ˌprɛf əˈrɛn ʃəl /
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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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Origin of preferential

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

OTHER WORDS FROM preferential

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use preferential in a sentence

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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