Preference — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˈpre-fərn(t)s/ pref·er·ence

Meaning & Definition of Preference

Preference (noun)

  1. the act of preferring, the state of being preferred
  2. the power or opportunity of choosing
  3. one that is preferred

Preference (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a person or thing that is preferred over others

    "my preference is soul music"

    similar: darling, fave, favorite, minion, pet, speed, cup of tea
    related: beloved, dear, sweetheart, jewel, prize, treasure
    near: abomination, anathema, bête noire, bugbear

  2. positive regard for something

    "a preference for cool weather"

    similar: appetite, fancy, favor, fondness, like, liking, love, love affair, partiality, relish, shine, taste, use
    related: craving, desire, hankering, longing, thirst, yen, enthusiasm, gusto, interest, passion, bias, prejudice, bent, inclination, leaning, propensity, tendency, tooth, palate, weakness
    opposite: aversion, disfavor, disgust, dislike, distaste, hatred, loathing, mislike
    near: apathy, disinclination, indifference, unconcern

  3. the power, right, or opportunity to choose

    "he was promised his preference when the time came to repaint his bedroom"

    similar: alternative, choice, discretion, druthers (dialect), election, liberty, option, pick, selection, volition, way
    related: determination, free will, will, say, voice, vote, inclination, liking, partiality, penchant, predilection, proclivity, propensity, tendency, discernment, judgment, perspicacity
    near: coercion, duress, force, duty, obligation, Hobson's choice

  4. a raising or a state of being raised to a higher rank or position

    "a long-sought preference to the position of naval commander"

    similar: advancement, ascent, creation, elevation, preferment, promotion, rise, upgrade, upgrading
    related: aggrandizement, ennoblement, exaltation, glorification, magnification
    opposite: abasement, comedown, degradation, demotion, disrating, downgrade, reduction
    near: deposition, dethronement, discharge, dismissal, expulsion, impeachment, ouster, overthrow, removal, suspension, unmaking, unseating, downfall, fall

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Preference

The most common words with a similar meaning to Preference:

Dialect: druthers
darling, fave, favorite, minion, pet, speed, appetite, fancy, favor, fondness, like, liking, love, love affair, partiality, relish, shine, taste, use, alternative, choice, discretion, election, liberty, option, pick, selection, volition, way, advancement, ascent, creation, elevation, preferment, promotion, rise, upgrade, upgrading, cup of tea

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Preference

Words with the opposite meaning of Preference:

aversion, disfavor, disgust, dislike, distaste, hatred, loathing, mislike, abasement, comedown, degradation, demotion, disrating, downgrade, reduction

Related Words for Preference

beloved, dear, sweetheart, jewel, prize, treasure, craving, desire, hankering, longing, thirst, yen, enthusiasm, gusto, interest, passion, bias, prejudice, bent, inclination, leaning, propensity, tendency, tooth, palate, weakness, determination, free will, will, say

Near Antonyms of Preference

abomination, anathema, bête noire, bugbear, apathy, disinclination, indifference, unconcern, coercion, duress, force, duty, obligation, Hobson's choice, deposition, dethronement, discharge, dismissal, expulsion, impeachment, ouster, overthrow, removal, suspension, unmaking, unseating, downfall, fall

Origin & Etymology of Preference

Middle English preferraunce, from Middle French preferance, from Medieval Latin praeferentia, from Latin praeferent-, praeferens, present participle of praeferre

First known use: 1673

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Preference

Words & Phrases Containing Preference

sexual preference, veterans' preference, in preference to

Frequently Asked Questions about Preference

What does "Preference" mean?

"Preference" means the act of preferring, the state of being preferred. As a noun, it is defined as: the act of preferring, the state of being preferred. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Preference"?

Other words for "Preference" include darling, fave, favorite, minion, pet, speed, appetite and fancy. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Preference" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Preference"?

There are 83 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Preference". Common alternatives include darling, fave, favorite, minion, pet, speed, appetite, fancy, favor and fondness.

What is the opposite of "Preference"?

Antonyms of "Preference" include aversion, disfavor, disgust, dislike, distaste, hatred, loathing and mislike. Near antonyms include abomination, anathema, bête noire and bugbear.

How do you use "Preference" in a sentence?

Examples of "Preference" in a sentence: "my preference is soul music"; "a preference for cool weather"; "he was promised his preference when the time came to repaint his bedroom".

Is "Preference" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Preference" is a noun.

Is "Preference" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Preference" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Preference"?

"Preference" is pronounced /ˈpre-fərn(t)s/ and divided into syllables as pref·er·ence.