preferential

[ pref-uh-ren-shuh l ]
/ ˌprɛf əˈrɛn ʃəl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR preferential ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of, relating to, or of the nature of preference: preferential policies.
showing or giving preference: a preferential hiring system.
receiving or enjoying preference, as a country in trade relations; favored.

Origin of preferential

1840–50; < Medieval Latin praeferenti(a) preference + -al1

OTHER WORDS FROM preferential

Words nearby preferential

preferably, preference, preference share, preference shares, preference stock, preferential, preferential shop, preferential voting, preferment, preferred lie, preferred ordinary shares

Words related to preferentially

either, conversely

Example sentences from the Web for preferentially

  • Preferentially, too, he was not inclined to embark in matrimony.

    Aletta |Bertram Mitford

  • Wherever you like, but preferentially in an unfrequented quarter.

    The Barber of Paris |Charles Paul de Kock

British Dictionary definitions for preferentially

preferential
/ (ˌprɛfəˈrɛnʃəl) /

adjective

showing or resulting from preference
giving, receiving, or originating from preference in international trade

Derived forms of preferential

preferentiality (ˌprɛfəˌrɛnʃɪˈælɪtɪ), noun preferentially, adverb