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

By Emily Tannenbaum February 17, 2025 The SNL 50 Anniversary Special was the hottest ticket in town on February 16—preferably right next to Emma Stone and her custom Louis Vuitton dress filled with popcorn. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2025

If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, preferably past the end of a guard rail, and wait until the storm passes. —Bay Area Weather Report, The Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2025

At large, Frederick Anderson’s latest is a welcome invitation to dance, preferably in your weekly best. —Essence, 14 Feb. 2025

That alone is worth celebrating, preferably en masse with the rest of the Bridget faithful, which makes the choice to not release the film in U.S. theaters so terribly painful (the rest of the world will get it in theaters). —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined above