Preference Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

👍

Add to dictionary

preference

[ˈprɛf(ə)rəns ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

personal

A greater liking for one alternative over another or others.

Synonyms

fondness, leaning, liking, partiality.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
preference	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	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	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	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	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

Examples of usage

His preference for coffee over tea is well known.
She has a strong preference for classical music.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

professional

The act of choosing or selecting something as more desirable or preferable.

Synonyms

choice, decision, option, selection.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
preference	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.
choice	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.
selection	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.
decision	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.
option	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.

Examples of usage

The company will take into account your preference for working remotely.
We aim to accommodate your preferences when assigning tasks.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

technical

A configuration setting or option that can be modified to suit individual needs or requirements.

Synonyms

adjustment, configuration, option, setting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
preference	Refers to a greater liking for one alternative over another or others. The company's hiring preference is for experienced candidates
setting	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
option	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
configuration	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
adjustment	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

Examples of usage

You can customize the font size in the app according to your preferences.
The software allows users to save their preferences for future use.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'preference'

The word 'preference' originated in the late 14th century from the Old French word 'preférence', which came from the Latin word 'praefertim' meaning 'to carry in front, prefer'. Over time, the term evolved to encompass the concept of favoring one choice over another. The idea of personal preferences has been a fundamental aspect of human decision-making throughout history, influencing various aspects of life from relationships to consumer behavior.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,111, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

...
3108 imagination
3109 divisions
3110 leg
3111 preference
3112 reliable
3113 yard
3114 par
...