preferably

adverb

pref·​er·​a·​bly ˈpre-f(ə-)rə-blē 

: by choice or preference

—used to indicate what is wanted or preferred

The work should be done soon, preferably by the end of the week.

Applicants should hold a college degree, preferably with teaching experience.

Water thoroughly during the coolest time of day (preferably early morning), then allow soil to dry completely … before watering again.

—Michael MacCaskey

Mound flour on a work surface (preferably wooden) and make a large well in center with your fingertips.

—Lynne Rossetto Kasper

Synonyms

• fain
• first
• rather
• readily
• soon
• willingly

Examples of preferably in a Sentence

I like football, but preferably watching from the stands rather than being down on the field

Recent Examples on the Web

Schedule your self-care sessions and process what happened, preferably with someone who excels at listening. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

People just need to pay attention, or slow down, or preferably both. —Dp Opinion, The Denver Post, 9 Oct. 2024

Cancer Should Find Romance In The South Of France Cancer just wants to go somewhere warm, cozy, and preferably with a view of the sea, according to Naskova, and the South of France in winter is calling their name. —Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024

Tuck it beneath your arm, preferably alongside a trench coat. —Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined above