adjective
Common
preferred
prih-FURD
Preferred (adjective) means Liked or chosen above other options; favored. Example: “Cash is still the preferred payment method at the market.”
adjective
1
Liked or chosen above other options; favored.
"Cash is still the preferred payment method at the market."
"Please tell us your preferred language so we can send the right form."
"Blue is her preferred colour, so we painted the bedroom that shade."
noun
1
(finance) Preferred stock — shares that get priority for dividends over ordinary shares.
"The company issued preferred to raise capital without diluting voting control."
"Holders of preferred are paid their dividend before ordinary shareholders receive anything."
"The investor chose to buy preferred because it offered a steadier income."
How to use preferred
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe favored choice — either in a general sense, or as a specific type of company stock with priority payouts.
Common pairings
preferred method
preferred stock
preferred customer
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Word forms
- Plural
- preferreds
- Comparative
- more preferred
- Superlative
- most preferred
Fill the gap
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Cash is still the _____ payment method at the market.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
antipreferred
Related words
Rhymes for preferred
See all rhymes for preferred →Frequently asked questions
What does “preferred” mean?
The word “preferred” means liked or chosen above other options; favored. In plain terms, the favored choice — either in a general sense, or as a specific type of company stock with priority payouts.
How do you pronounce “preferred”?
“Preferred” is pronounced prih-FURD (/pɹɪˈfɝd/ in IPA).
How do you use “preferred” in a sentence?
Here is “preferred” used in a sentence: “Cash is still the preferred payment method at the market.”
What is the opposite of “preferred”?
The opposite of “preferred” — its antonyms — is antipreferred.
What part of speech is “preferred”?
Depending on how it is used, “preferred” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “preferred” a common word?
“Preferred” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “preferred” have?
“Preferred” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: liked or chosen above other options; favored.
What is the difference between "preferred" and "favorite"?
"Preferred" means liked or chosen above other options and often implies a comparison or decision between alternatives, as in "my preferred method." "Favorite" means the single one you like best, with a warmer, more personal feel. A preferred option is the one you would pick, while a favorite is the one you love most.
What is the difference between "preferred" and "preferable"?
"Preferred" describes something that has actually been chosen or is favored, as in "the preferred candidate." "Preferable" means more desirable or better as a matter of judgment, as in "walking is preferable to driving." Preferred reports a choice; preferable states that one option is better.
What is the difference between "preferred stock" and "common stock"?
Preferred stock refers to shares that get priority for dividends over ordinary or common shares, usually at a fixed rate. Common stock typically carries voting rights but is paid after preferred shareholders. In short, preferred stock trades voting power for dividend priority.
Which preposition is used with "preferred" when comparing options?
When the verb "prefer" underlies the comparison, the usual pairing is "to," as in "coffee is preferred to tea." In everyday use, "preferred over" is also common when contrasting options, as in "the preferred choice over the alternatives." The related verb "prefer" takes "to," not "than."
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