Preferred — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective verb /pri-ˈfərd/ pre·ferred

Meaning & Definition of Preferred

Preferred (adjective)

  1. liked better or best, used or wanted in preference to others
  2. having special status or receiving special treatment or benefits

Preferred (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. singled out from a number or group as more to one's liking

    "my preferred means of communication is e-mail"

    similar: cherry-picked, choice, chosen, elect, favored, favorite, first-line, handpicked, picked, select, selected, of choice
    related: fashionable, exclusive, culled, picked over, screened, weeded (out), winnowed (out)
    near: average, common, commonplace, ordinary, run-of-the-mill

Preferred (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to show partiality toward

    "I generally prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla"

    similar: cared (for), favored, leaned (toward or towards), liked, was partial to, went in for
    related: adored, cottoned (to), delighted (in), dug, enjoyed, fancied, grooved (on), relished, reveled (in), chose, culled, handpicked, named, picked, selected, singled (out), took, coveted, craved, desired, hankered (for or after), wanted, wished (for), biased, prejudiced, inclined (toward), tended (to), admired, appreciated, cherished, prized, treasured, valued
    near: disfavored, disliked, misliked, abhorred, abominated, detested, hated, loathed, declined, refused, rejected, turned down, discarded, jettisoned, threw away, threw out

  2. to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities

    "most buyers of that vehicle have preferred the model with four-wheel drive"

    similar: cherry-picked, chose, culled, elected, handpicked, named, opted (for), picked, selected, singled (out), tagged, took
    related: preselected, appointed, designated, fixed, marked, nominated, set, tabbed, tapped, accepted, adopted, embraced, espoused, settled (on or upon)
    opposite: declined, refused, rejected, turned down
    near: disapproved, negatived, repudiated, spurned, discarded, jettisoned, threw away, threw out

Related Entry: Prefer (verb)

Prefer is a different word from Preferred. The synonyms below are for prefer, not for preferred.

  1. to show partiality toward

    "I generally prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla"

    similar: care (for), favor, lean (toward or towards), like, be partial to, go in for
    related: adore, cotton (to), delight (in), dig, enjoy, fancy, groove (on), relish, revel (in), choose, cull, handpick, name, pick, select, single (out), take, covet, crave, desire, hanker (for or after), want, wish (for), bias, prejudice, incline (toward), tend (to), admire, appreciate, cherish, prize, treasure, value
    near: disfavor, dislike, mislike, abhor, abominate, detest, hate, loathe, decline, refuse, reject, turn down, discard, jettison, throw away, throw out

  2. to decide to accept (someone or something) from a group of possibilities

    "most buyers of that vehicle have preferred the model with four-wheel drive"

    similar: cherry-pick, choose, cull, elect, handpick, name, opt (for), pick, select, single (out), tag, take
    related: preselect, appoint, designate, fix, mark, nominate, set, tab, tap, accept, adopt, embrace, espouse, settle (on or upon)
    opposite: decline, refuse, reject, turn down
    near: disapprove, negative, repudiate, spurn, discard, jettison, throw away, throw out

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Preferred

The most common words with a similar meaning to Preferred:

cherry-picked, choice, chosen, elect, favored, favorite, first-line, handpicked, picked, select, selected, of choice, cared (for), leaned (toward or towards), liked, chose, culled, elected, named, opted (for), singled (out), tagged, took, was partial to, went in for

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Preferred

Words with the opposite meaning of Preferred:

declined, refused, rejected, turned down

Related Words for Preferred

fashionable, exclusive, picked over, screened, weeded (out), winnowed (out), adored, cottoned (to), delighted (in), dug, enjoyed, fancied, grooved (on), relished, reveled (in), coveted, craved, desired, hankered (for or after), wanted, wished (for), biased, prejudiced, inclined (toward), tended (to), admired, appreciated, cherished, prized, treasured

Near Antonyms of Preferred

average, common, commonplace, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, disfavored, disliked, misliked, abhorred, abominated, detested, hated, loathed, discarded, jettisoned, threw away, threw out, disapproved, negatived, repudiated, spurned

Origin & Etymology of Preferred

First known use: 1748

Words & Phrases Containing Preferred

preferred provider, preferred provider organization, preferred stock

Frequently Asked Questions about Preferred

What does "Preferred" mean?

"Preferred" means liked better or best, used or wanted in preference to others. As an an adjective and a verb, it is defined as: liked better or best, used or wanted in preference to others. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Preferred"?

Other words for "Preferred" include cherry-picked, choice, chosen, elect, favored, favorite, first-line and handpicked. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Preferred" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Preferred"?

There are 70 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Preferred". Common alternatives include cherry-picked, choice, chosen, elect, favored, favorite, first-line, handpicked, picked and select.

What is the opposite of "Preferred"?

Antonyms of "Preferred" include declined, refused, rejected and turned down. Near antonyms include average, common, commonplace and ordinary.

How do you use "Preferred" in a sentence?

Examples of "Preferred" in a sentence: "my preferred means of communication is e-mail"; "I generally prefer chocolate ice cream over vanilla"; "most buyers of that vehicle have preferred the model with four-wheel drive".

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

"Preferred" can be used as an adjective and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Preferred"?

"Preferred" is pronounced /pri-ˈfərd/ and divided into syllables as pre·ferred.

What is the origin of the word "Preferred"?

First known use: 1748.