Preferences: meaning, definitions and examples

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preferences

 

[ˈprɛf(ə)rənsɪz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

personalization

A set of choices that reflect a person's likes and dislikes.

Synonyms

choices, options, settings.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
preferences

Use when talking about what someone likes or dislikes, often in a general or personal context.

  • She has strong preferences when it comes to food.
  • His music preferences vary from classical to rock.
choices

Appropriate when discussing decisions or selections that can be made from a set of possibilities.

  • He made some bad choices in his career.
  • You have several choices for breakfast.
options

Suitable for referring to available possibilities or alternatives, often in a practical or strategic context.

  • You have two options: continue working here or look for a new job.
  • This software offers many options for customization.
settings

Utilized in the context of configuring or adjusting configurations for devices, software, or environments.

  • Please adjust the brightness settings on your phone.
  • You can change your privacy settings in the app.

Examples of usage

  • Customizing your preferences on social media platforms.
  • Setting your preferences for email notifications.
  • The app allows users to adjust their preferences for a personalized experience.
Context #2 | Noun

consumer behavior

The predetermined or desired choice of a consumer when making a purchase decision.

Synonyms

desires, inclinations, tastes.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
preferences

Use this word to describe what someone likes more in a general or consistent way, often in the context of choices or options.

  • Her preferences in music are varied, but she loves classical the most
  • My food preferences lean towards spicy dishes
tastes

This word is best used to describe someone's personal likes and dislikes, particularly in areas like food, art, and fashion.

  • She has eclectic tastes in music, enjoying everything from jazz to hip hop
  • His tastes in fashion are always on trend
desires

This word describes strong wants or wishes, often emotional or deep-seated, and sometimes could be viewed negatively if the desire is inappropriate.

  • He has a strong desire to travel the world
  • She expressed her desire for a more fulfilling career
inclinations

Use this word for tendencies or natural leanings towards something, usually based on someone’s character or habits.

  • Her inclinations towards art were evident from a young age
  • Despite his inclinations to resist, he decided to go along with the plan

Examples of usage

  • Understanding consumer preferences helps businesses tailor their products.
  • The company conducted a survey to find out the preferences of their target market.
Context #3 | Noun

computing

A setting or option that can be adjusted to suit the user's requirements.

Synonyms

configurations, options, settings.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
preferences

Typically used when referring to a person's individual choices or tastes in a variety of situations, such as in apps, services, or daily life.

  • She adjusted her preferences to receive fewer email notifications.
  • My coffee preferences include lots of milk and no sugar.
settings

Generally used in the context of controls or adjustments that one can make on a device, application, or system to modify its operation or appearance.

  • He checked the sound settings on his phone to make sure it was on silent.
  • The default settings worked perfectly for her.
configurations

Used more frequently in technical contexts, especially with hardware and software, to describe the specific setup or arrangement of systems and components.

  • The network configurations need to be updated for the new server.
  • He spent hours completing the software configurations for his project.
options

Often used to refer to different choices or alternatives available in a given situation. Can be used in both technical and everyday contexts.

  • She reviewed all the options before making a decision.
  • The software provides several options for customization.

Examples of usage

  • Changing the display preferences on your computer.
  • Customizing font size is one of the preferences in the application.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • People often choose things based on what makes them feel happy. This means what you prefer can change depending on your mood.
  • Preferences can be influenced by early experiences; for instance, childhood toys can shape future likes and dislikes.
  • Studies show that when you have too many options, you might feel overwhelmed and less satisfied with your final choice.

Cultural Significance

  • Different cultures have unique preferences for food, music, and art, which reflect their values and history.
  • In some countries, social interactions may prioritize group preferences over individual choices, emphasizing community over self.
  • Understanding local preferences in diets can enhance travel experiences and foster deeper connections with communities.

Economics

  • Consumer preferences are a key factor in marketing; businesses study these to create products that people want to buy.
  • The concept of 'revealed preferences' helps economists understand people's choices based on their purchasing behavior rather than what they say they want.
  • Market trends often shift based on changes in societal preferences, such as the growing demand for eco-friendly products.

Technology

  • Personalization in technology relies heavily on user preferences, allowing platforms to tailor experiences like news feeds or movie recommendations.
  • Apps analyze preferences through data collecting, making future choices feel more intuitive for the user.
  • Consumer preference for convenience has led to a rise in subscription services and on-demand offerings across various industries.

Linguistics

  • Languages allow for expressions of preference, like using 'prefer' to indicate a stronger choice over alternatives.
  • In some languages, the way preference is expressed can show social status or politeness, such as using formal vs. informal speech.
  • The use of modifiers in language, like 'I really like,' can help emphasize preferences and make them more persuasive.

Translations

Translations of the word "preferences" in other languages:

🇵🇹 preferências

🇮🇳 प्राथमिकताएँ

🇩🇪 Vorlieben

🇮🇩 preferensi

🇺🇦 уподобання

🇵🇱 preferencje

🇯🇵 好み

🇫🇷 préférences

🇪🇸 preferencias

🇹🇷 tercihler

🇰🇷 선호

🇸🇦 تفضيلات

🇨🇿 preference

🇸🇰 preferencie

🇨🇳 偏好

🇸🇮 preference

🇮🇸 áhugamál

🇰🇿 ұнатулар

🇬🇪 პრეფერენციები

🇦🇿 üstünlüklər

🇲🇽 preferencias

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,629 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.