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
Michael MacCaskeyMound flour on a work surface (preferably wooden) and make a large well in center with your fingertips.—Lynne Rossetto Kasper
Lynne Rossetto Kasper
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
The word for the fifth-act climax of risotto—the scene in which the butter (preferably cold, from the fridge) and the Parmesan are brought onstage and obliged to mingle with the other characters—is mantecatura.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
Advertisement Wherever Nikki alights is a space to laugh, play the dozens (preferably over bid whist), celebrate and, yes mourn and sing with these and other giants.
—L. Lamar Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024
In 10 days, Congress will run out of funds to keep the government operating through the holidays without action or a strategy (preferably both).
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 10 Dec. 2024
The winner is in the playoff, but the only realistic route left for either team to earn a bye (and the extra $4 million that comes with it) would be to combine that win — preferably a convincing one — with a loss by the Atlantic Coast Conference leader, No. 8 SMU, which plays No. 17 Clemson.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 7 Dec. 2024
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Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 16 Dec. 2024
Advertisement Wherever Nikki alights is a space to laugh, play the dozens (preferably over bid whist), celebrate and, yes mourn and sing with these and other giants.
—L. Lamar Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024
In 10 days, Congress will run out of funds to keep the government operating through the holidays without action or a strategy (preferably both).
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 10 Dec. 2024
The winner is in the playoff, but the only realistic route left for either team to earn a bye (and the extra $4 million that comes with it) would be to combine that win — preferably a convincing one — with a loss by the Atlantic Coast Conference leader, No. 8 SMU, which plays No. 17 Clemson.
—Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 7 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for preferably
Dictionary Entries Near preferably
Cite this Entry
“Preferably.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/preferably. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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