Word
preferentially
Phoneticspref·er·en·tial·ly, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌpɹɛfɝˈɛnʃəɫi/
UK/pɹˌɛfəɹˈɛnʃəlˌi/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. in a way that gives special favor to one person or thing over others. You use it when one choice gets better treatment.
adv. in a manner that accords favour or priority to one option over others; involving differential treatment. Typically modifies verbs of selection, hiring, admission, or distribution.
Examples
“The school admits local children preferentially.”
“The airline boards families with small children preferentially to give them extra time to settle.”
“Trade agreements often treat goods from partner countries preferentially, lowering tariffs to encourage closer economic ties while maintaining higher barriers for outsiders.”
Examples
simple
“The school admits local children preferentially.”
contextual
“The airline boards families with small children preferentially to give them extra time to settle.”
complex
“Trade agreements often treat goods from partner countries preferentially, lowering tariffs to encourage closer economic ties while maintaining higher barriers for outsiders.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “preferentially” in context.
Verb
01. admit preferentially
“The school admits preferentially children with siblings enrolled.”
verb + adverb
02. cater preferentially to
“Budget airlines cater preferentially to younger travellers.”
verb + adverb + prep
03. fund preferentially
“The government funds preferentially renewable energy projects.”
verb + adverb
04. hire preferentially
“The firm tends to hire preferentially from top universities.”
verb + adverb
05. lend preferentially to
“State banks lend preferentially to small businesses.”
verb + adverb + prep
06. recruit preferentially
“The army recruits preferentially in rural areas.”
verb + adverb
Adjective
07. preferentially expressed
“This gene is preferentially expressed in lung tissue.”
adverb + past participle
08. preferentially targeted
“Emergency aid was preferentially targeted at the worst-hit regions.”
adverb + past participle
09. admit siblings preferentially
“Many schools admit siblings preferentially to keep families together.”
10. hire internal candidates preferentially
“The bank hires internal candidates preferentially for senior roles.”
11. lend preferentially to farmers
“The cooperative lends preferentially to farmers affected by drought.”
12. receive preferentially low rates
“Members receive preferentially low rates on loans and mortgages.”
Usage
Typically placed after the verb it modifies or before an adjective or past participle.
Real-World Examples
“Recently developed spatial 3D genomics technologies have adopted ligation-based Hi-C strategies, which preferentially detect short-range chromatin interactions within 10 megabases (Mb).” Etymology
From preferential + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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