preferential

[pref-uh-ren-shuh l]

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.

Origin of preferential

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

Related formspref·er·en·tial·ism, nounpref·er·en·tial·ist, nounpref·er·en·tial·ly, adverbnon·pref·er·en·tial, adjectivenon·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

Related Words for preferentially

either, conversely

Examples from the Web for preferentially

Historical Examples of preferentially

Preferentially, too, he was not inclined to embark in matrimony.
Aletta
Bertram Mitford
Wherever you like, but preferentially in an unfrequented quarter.
The Barber of Paris
Charles Paul de Kock

British Dictionary definitions for preferentially

preferential

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 preferentially

preferential

adj.

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