noun
preference
PREHFRNS
noun
1
A liking for one thing over another.
"What's your preference — window seat or aisle?"
"The restaurant can accommodate most dietary preferences."
2
Special or favorable treatment given to someone or something.
"Local applicants were given preference for the community grants."
How to Use Preference
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA liking or choice for one option, or the favorable treatment given based on that choice.
Common pairings
a preference for
personal preference
give preference to
Word Forms
preferenced past tense, preferences plural, preferences singular
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Etymology
From Middle French preference, from Medieval Latin preferentia — built from prefer plus -ence.