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

Mahomes is relaxed but talkative in those meetings, as Wentz described it, going through his preferred plays for the potential biggest moments of the game. —Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2025

The Nets ultimately traded him in February 2023 to Phoenix, which became his preferred destination at the time. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Feb. 2025

The menu guides you in crafting your dream dish, with options to select your preferred shape, sauce, and toppings (more burrata, please!). —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Feb. 2025

For each drink, combine 1½ ounces of your preferred local spirit (vodka or gin) and 4 to 6 ounces of batched premix over ice. —Jeff Burkhart, The Mercury News, 5 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