preferred

adjective

pre·​ferred pri-ˈfərd 

1

: liked better or best : used or wanted in preference to others

a preferred method

'Leveled' is the preferred spelling in American English.

2

: having special status or receiving special treatment or benefits

preferred customers

Synonyms

• cherry-picked
• choice
• chosen
• elect
• favored
• favorite
• first-line
• handpicked
• picked
• select
• selected

Examples of preferred in a Sentence

my preferred means of communication is e-mail

Recent Examples on the Web

Investors on Friday also digested fresh data that showed the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge cooled in April slightly more economists had expected, but also revealed a significant drop in consumer spending. —John Towfighi, CNN Money, 30 May 2025

Barcelona is the preferred destination of Garcia’s representatives, with his main focus securing a place in Spain’s squad for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. —Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025

Meanwhile, the latest reading of the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge indicated that price increases in April slowed as well. —Morgan Chittum, CNBC, 30 May 2025

Tehran’s preferred negotiating style remains hostage-taking: extract a ransom today, seize new captives tomorrow. —Kazem Kazerounian, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing preferred

• preferred provider
• preferred provider organization
• preferred stock

Rhymes for preferred

• afterword
• firebird
• hummingbird
• ladybird
• mockingbird
• overheard
• thunderbird
• undergird
• undeterred
• absurd
• averred
• bluebird