preference
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“The hotel asked if we had a preference for a room with a view of the sea.”
In context“The survey revealed a strong consumer preference for organic produce, even when the price point was significantly higher than conventional alternatives.”
UsageUsually takes the preposition 'for' followed by the preferred item.
PitfallI 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.
SynonymsAntonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“My first preference would be to travel by train rather than fly.”
In context“If the primary candidate declines the offer, our second preference is a researcher currently based in Berlin.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
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.
Simple“The company gives preference to applicants who already speak a second language.”
In context“The trade agreement ensures that member states receive preference regarding the import of raw materials and heavy machinery.”
UsageOften appears in the phrase 'give preference to'.
SynonymsAntonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
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.
Simple“The new policy was designed to preference local businesses during the bidding process.”
In context“The legislation was criticised for attempting to preference domestic manufacturers at the expense of international trade relations.”
UsageThis verb use is rare outside of specific legal or bureaucratic documents.
Usage identify preference · indicate preference · influence preference
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.