# preferred

/pɹəˈfɝd/ (US) · /pɹɪfˈɜːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/preferred
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. favoured or chosen

adjective · CEFR B1

liked or wanted more than other things.

For teachers: selected as being more desirable or having priority over alternatives.

- Please indicate your preferred method of contact on the application form.
- The candidate's preferred start date was early September, though she remained open to negotiation if the project required an earlier arrival.

### 3. special company shares

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

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

## Examples

- I preferred the first house we saw today.
- The company preferred hiring candidates with previous experience in the finance sector.
- Historically, investors preferred gold as a hedge against inflation, though modern portfolios often incorporate a wider variety of digital and physical assets to mitigate risk.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.