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

And that’s not the only bit of preferred nomenclature. —Mark Critchley, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025

As the day winds down, these individuals’ energy levels rev up with a preferred bedtime at around midnight, Breus stated in his report. —Amy McGorry, Fox News, 23 Feb. 2025

In their second start, the Heat’s new preferred starting lineup outscored the Raptors by four points in 11 minutes together during Friday’s win. —Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2025

Kerr’s preferred starting lineup has a 4.8 net rating — third best on the team among combinations that have played at least 30 minutes together. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 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