Preference: meaning, definitions and examples

Preference is used when someone shows a greater liking for one alternative over another.

• She expressed a preference for tea over coffee
• His preference for early mornings helps him be more productive

Liking is a more general term for having a favorable attitude towards someone or something.

• He has a liking for spicy food
• I've always had a liking for outdoor activities

Fondness indicates a gentle or affectionate liking for someone or something.

• Her fondness for her grandchildren is evident in her smile
• He has a fondness for classical music

Leaning is used to describe a tendency or inclination towards a particular thing or idea.

• She has a leaning towards liberal political views
• His leaning towards art became evident in his early childhood

Partiality often implies a bias or special preference for someone or something, sometimes in an unfair way.

• Her partiality for her youngest son is noticeable
• The judge was criticized for his partiality in the case

Used when indicating a liking or priority for one thing over another.

• She has a preference for tea over coffee.
• My preference is to work from home.

Used when referring to the act of selecting between two or more options.

• He made the choice to stay.
• You have a choice between pizza and pasta.

Used when referring to the process of choosing something or the thing that has been chosen.

• The employee of the month selection will be announced tomorrow.
• The selection of books available at the library is excellent.

Used when talking about the conclusion or resolution reached after consideration.

• She made the decision to move abroad.
• After much thought, his decision was final.

Used to describe one of the possible selections or alternatives available.

• Buying a smaller car is a good option.
• We have several options to consider.

Refers to a greater liking for one alternative over another or others.

• The company's hiring preference is for experienced candidates

Use this word when talking about specific positions or adjustments on a device or environment.

• The brightness setting on your phone is too high
• We need to change the settings to get a better print quality

Use this word when referring to one of several choices that are available.

• You have the option to take the train or drive
• Online classes provide a flexible option for students

This word is used in technical or formal contexts to describe the arrangement or setup of parts or elements.

• The software allows easy configuration of settings
• The network configuration needs to be updated for better security

This word is suitable when mentioning small changes made to improve or fix something.

• He made some adjustments to the itinerary
• A slight adjustment in your diet can bring big health benefits