adverb

preferably

PREHF-ruh-blee

adverb

Ideally; if there is a choice.

"Send the documents by email, preferably before Friday."

How to Use Preferably

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUsed to state the most wanted option, while still leaving room for alternatives.

Common pairings

preferably before preferably in person preferably not

more preferably comparative, most preferably superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

Send the documents by email, _____ before Friday.

From preferable plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

notably probably arguably amicably suitably reliably admirably favorably miserably inexorably reasonably invariably