Word
preference
Phoneticspref·er·ence, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɹɛfɝəns/
UK/pɹˈɛfɹəns/
Definitions
01liking one thing more
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a feeling of liking or wanting one person or thing more than another.
n. the act of selecting or favouring one thing or person over others based on personal taste or judgment.
日本語:好み※
Español:preferencia
“The hotel asked if we had a preference for a room with a view of the sea.”
“The survey revealed a strong consumer preference for organic produce, even when the price point was significantly higher than conventional alternatives.”
Usage
Usually takes the preposition 'for' followed by the preferred item.
Pitfall
I have a preference of tea over coffee.
I have a preference for tea over coffee.
While 'of' is sometimes used, 'for' is the standard preposition when expressing a liking for something.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02the thing chosen
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the specific thing that you choose or like best.
n. the specific object, person, or option that has been selected as the preferred choice.
日本語:好み※
Español:preferencia
“My first preference would be to travel by train rather than fly.”
“If the primary candidate declines the offer, our second preference is a researcher currently based in Berlin.”
03special treatment
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Law Formal
n. giving an advantage to one person or group over others.
n. the state of being granted prior right or advantage; often used in legal or trade contexts regarding 'preferential' treatment.
日本語:優先※
“The company gives preference to applicants who already speak a second language.”
“The trade agreement ensures that member states receive preference regarding the import of raw materials and heavy machinery.”
Usage
Often appears in the phrase 'give preference to'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
04to give an advantage
C2 · Proficiency American English · Formal · Technical
v. to give someone or something a better position or special treatment.
v. to grant preferential treatment to a person or entity, typically in an administrative or legal capacity.
“The new policy was designed to preference local businesses during the bidding process.”
“The legislation was criticised for attempting to preference domestic manufacturers at the expense of international trade relations.”
Usage
This verb use is rare outside of specific legal or bureaucratic documents.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “preference” in context.
Verb
01. identify preference
“The marketing team conducted a survey to identify customer preference for the new design.”
verb + noun
02. indicate preference
“Please indicate your preference for either a morning or afternoon appointment on the form.”
verb + noun
03. influence preference
“Social media advertisements can significantly influence consumer preference for certain brands.”
verb + noun
04. reflect preference
“The final choice of colors should reflect the preference of the homeowner.”
verb + noun
05. show preference
“Studies suggest that infants show a clear preference for their mother's voice.”
verb + noun
06. preference identify
07. preference reflect
Real-World Examples
“Injuries, plus a preference for him to play England Under-19 matches last summer, meant he did not feature for Lancashire's first team at all in 2025.” “The government's preference is for it to fall somewhere between eight and 20 hours a week.” Etymology
From Middle French preference, from Medieval Latin preferentia. Doublet of preferans. Morphologically prefer + -ence.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/preference
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0