What does "preferred" mean?

1. (favoured or chosen) liked or wanted more than other things. 2. (special company shares) a type of stock that gives the owner a better right to receive payments than regular stock.

How do you use "preferred"?

Usually functions as an uncountable noun or a collective plural in financial contexts.

preferred

adj. · n.

US //pɹəˈfɝd// UK //pɹɪfˈɜːd// pre·ferred

1 favoured or chosen (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

liked or wanted more than other things.

selected as being more desirable or having priority over alternatives.

Example

Please indicate your preferred method of contact on the application form.

Example

The candidate's preferred start date was early September, though she remained open to negotiation if the project required an earlier arrival.
- rejected
- disliked
2 special company shares (n.)
C1 Advanced Technical Finance

a type of stock that gives the owner a better right to receive payments than regular stock.

a class of ownership in a corporation that has a higher claim on assets and earnings than common stock.

Example

The company issued new preferred to raise capital without giving away voting rights.

Example

Investors who hold preferred are typically entitled to receive dividends before any distribution is made to common shareholders.

Usage

Usually functions as an uncountable noun or a collective plural in financial contexts.
- preferred stock
- preference shares
- common stock